Shreyas Iyer strikes gold among all the grind with 95 in Ranji Trophy final

Shreyas Iyer. (Photo source: X(Twitter)

Shreyas Iyer was dropped from the national team after failing to prove himself in the first two Test matches of the series against England. After that, Iyer was removed from BCCI’s annual contract after he decided to pull out of Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy quarterfinal match against Baroda, citing back pain. However, he was spotted in the KKR academy, which infuriated chief selector Ajit Agarkar and BCCI secretary Jay Shah, which led to his removal from the central contract.

He made his return in Mumbai’s semifinal match against Tamil Nadu but failed to get going. However, the Ajinkya Rahane-led side managed to win by an innings and 70 runs and qualified for the final of the competition. In the final against Vidarbha, the 29-year-old once again failed with the bat but in the second innings, he came out on top, hitting 95 runs. He was disappointed following his dismissal, while legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, who was in the stands, gave him a standing ovation. However, alongside Musheer Khan, Iyer stitched a strong partnership, giving Mumbai a definite chance to win the Ranji Trophy 2024.

This knock should give the cricketer much-needed momentum. He is currently not in the scheme of things as far as Test cricket is concerned and that might change if Iyer keeps up with the form. On top of that, it will also boost his confidence ahead of the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League. He would eye to do well in the cash-rich tournament, to finalise his place in the Indian team for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

On the other hand, Mumbai have a strong grip on the match against Vidharbha. Rahane too managed to show glimpses of his class in the match, as the veteran batter made 73 runs in the second innings. Musheer, who had a terrific time for Mumbai in the tournament, once again rose up to the occasion and played a big innings in the final, which shows his prowess in crunch situations.

Also Read – ‘We celebrated like it was a hundred’ – Shams Mulani on Rahane’s gritty Ranji Trophy final fifty

They are now the favourite to get the job done unless Vidharbha pulls off a miracle at the Wankhede Stadium.