Is Shreyas Iyer among India’s greatest ODI middle-order batters?
Over the years, India has produced some of the finest middle-order batters in ODI cricket, and Shreyas Iyer has emerged as one of the leading names in recent times. His ability to absorb pressure, anchor innings, and accelerate when needed has made him a crucial part of India’s batting lineup. We look at Is Shreyas Iyer among India’s greatest ODI middle-order batters?
Iyer’s recent 79-run knock against New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 once again highlighted his ability to perform in tough situations, proving his worth as a dependable batter.
His knock came when India was struggling at 30 for 3, and he played a mature innings to rebuild the innings. This wasn’t a one-off performance; he has been India’s go-to middle-order batter since the 2019 ODI World Cup cycle.
His remarkable 530-run campaign in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he thrived at the crucial number four position, further cemented his reputation as one of India’s finest ODI batters in recent history. But does this consistency place him among India’s greatest middle-order batters of all time?
Shreyas Iyer’s stellar ODI numbers
Iyer’s statistics across different batting positions highlight his adaptability and impact:
At No. 3: 694 runs in 12 innings at 57.83 average, including 1 century and 7 fifties.
At No. 4: 1728 runs in 39 innings at 52.36 average, with 4 centuries and 12 fifties.
At No. 5: 323 runs in 11 innings at 29.36 average.
Overall: 2752 runs in 63 innings at 48.28 average, 5 centuries, and 22 fifties with a 101.13 strike rate.
The numbers speak for themselves—Iyer has been India’s most reliable middle-order batter over the last few years, particularly at No. 4, where many Indian batters have historically struggled. His ability to play spin and pace equally well has made him an indispensable part of the squad.
Does Iyer belong among India’s all-time greats?
When comparing Iyer to India’s legendary middle-order batters like Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, and Mohammad Azharuddin, it is clear that he still has some distance to go before being considered among the all-time greats.
Players like Dhoni and Yuvraj won ICC trophies for India and consistently delivered in knockout matches. However, Iyer’s trajectory suggests he could be on his way to achieving similar greatness.
His biggest challenge will be maintaining consistency over the next few years and delivering match-winning performances in high-pressure games. If he continues to perform at this level and helps India win major ICC trophies, he could very well be remembered as one of India’s greatest middle-order batters of all time.
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