Shreyas Iyer, who was phenomenal during India’s ODI World Cup 2023 campaign, found himself unexpectedly in the playing XI for India’s first ODI against England in Nagpur after a last-minute injury to Virat Kohli.

Initially, Iyer had lost his spot in the Indian team following two disappointing outings in the back-to-back ODIs against Sri Lanka in 2024, which saw Rishabh Pant replace him in the squad. However, with Iyer's recent domestic cricket form and his previous performances on the big stage, he remained in the mix for India’s upcoming Champions Trophy campaign.

But as fate would have it, Virat Kohli sustained a swollen knee, leading to Iyer’s sudden call-up. Speaking to Star Sports after the game, Iyer shared the comical story behind his last-minute inclusion. "So funny story. I was watching a movie last night, I thought I could extend my night, but then I got a call from the skipper saying that you play because Virat has gotten a swollen knee. Then I hurried back to my room, went off to sleep straightway," said the Mumbai-born batsman.

Despite the unexpected call-up, Iyer was absolutely stunning with the bat during his innings in the first ODI against England. Chasing 249 runs, India found themselves in a difficult position, reduced to 19/2. That’s when Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill took charge of the situation, building a crucial 94-run partnership.

Iyer’s knock of 59 runs off 36 deliveries was aggressive and crucial for India’s chase. He looked at ease against the short-pitched deliveries that had troubled him in the past, displaying remarkable control and shot-making. Iyer’s blistering performance gave Shubman Gill the necessary platform to settle in, with Gill going on to score a composed 87 runs.

Meanwhile, Axar Patel played a vital supporting role, scoring 52 runs, helping India cross the line by four wickets. This all-round effort helped India register their first ODI win in 449 days, a much-needed victory after their World Cup loss to Australia and a series defeat to Sri Lanka.

Now, with Kohli’s expected return, the Indian team management has a tough decision to make. The current top-order combination is likely to feature Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma as openers, Shubman Gill at three, and Virat Kohli at four. Whether Shreyas Iyer retains his place or makes way for Kohli remains to be seen. However, Iyer's recent performance has surely made a strong case for his inclusion in the future.

Will Shreyas Iyer hold onto his spot when Kohli returns? Only time will tell, but for now, India’s victory in Nagpur is a crucial step towards their preparations for the Champions Trophy starting on February 19.

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