IND vs ENG: "Wasn't supposed to play.." Shreyas Iyer reveals shocking details after 1st ODI in Nagpur

Shreyas Iyer smashed 59 runs off 36 balls in Nagpur.

After helping India register a victory in the first ODI of the three-match series against England, Shreyas Iyer has made a shocking revelation that he wasn’t even supposed to play in the match.

India recorded a four-wicket win in Nagpur, gunning down the target of 249 runs with more than 10 overs to spare.

In the chase, India lost the openers, debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal and captain Rohit Sharma, inside the first six overs. Then, batting at No. 4, Iyer counter-attacked with a blistering knock of 59 runs off 36 balls, walloping nine fours and two sixes.

Iyer’s blazing innings shifted the momentum towards India, after which Shubman Gill and Axar Patel cruised the side over the line.

Shreyas Iyer reveals he came in the side for Virat Kohli

Following the game and India’s win, Iyer revealed that he was supposed to be on the bench in Nagpur as India had decided to include Jaiswal in the side. However, a knee issue to Virat Kohli on the eve of the match meant Iyer was brought back in the XI.

“So, funny story. I was watching a movie last night, I thought I could extend my night, but then I got a call from skipper saying that you may play because Virat has got a swollen knee. And then [I] hurried back to my room, went off to sleep straightaway,” Shreyas Iyer said.

That Shreyas Iyer was set to be benched is surprising as he had cemented his No. 4 spot with a stellar World Cup 2023 campaign, where he scored 530 runs at an average of 66 with two hundreds, including one in the semi-final against New Zealand.

It would be interesting to see who goes out if Kohli is fit for the second ODI in Cuttack on Sunday.

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