In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Shreyas Iyer broke his 14-month-long drought for a first-class fifty during the Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday, March 12. The Mumbai batsman’s resilient knock brought a much-needed boost of confidence to the team as he swiftly reached the milestone in just 62 deliveries.
Iyer, eager to make an impact after a lackluster performance in the first innings, showcased composure and flair as he delighted the crowd with his quickfire 68 runs, which included 2 sixes and 8 boundaries. Partnering with Musheer Khan, Iyer forged an unbeaten 98-run partnership, contributing significantly to Mumbai’s formidable second innings total of 262 for 3 in 85 overs.
A confident fifty from Shreyas Iyer in the Ranji Trophy final with aggressive approach and looking good against Short balls. 👌pic.twitter.com/G7UReArVhd
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 12, 2024
Facing the Vidarbha bowling attack, led by Umesh Yadav, Iyer remained undeterred by the short-ball tactics, displaying aggression and precision in his shot-making. His remarkable performance earned praise from cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, who was present in the stands at the Wankhede Stadium to witness the final showdown.
Notably, Kolkata Knight Riders head coach Chandrakant Pandit was also in attendance, observing the performance of the Knight Riders captain with keen interest.
This fifty marks a significant milestone for Shreyas Iyer, particularly as it comes in his third match for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 season. It also ends his streak of 14 innings without a fifty-plus score in Test cricket, providing a much-needed confidence boost for the talented batsman.
Despite being excluded from the BCCI central contract list announced in February, Iyer’s stellar performance in the final underscores his resilience and determination to excel on the cricketing field.