Shreyas Iyer Eyes Major Milestones Ahead of Australia ODIs Amid Ongoing Selection Controversy News24 –

IND vs AUS: India gears up for a high-stakes three-match ODI series against Australia, all eyes will be on vice-captain Shreyas Iyer, who stands on the cusp of two major personal milestones in his international career.

The stylish right-hander from Mumbai needs just 155 more runs to reach 3,000 ODI runs, and 240 runs to complete 5,000 international runs across formats. With Iyer in solid form and playing a central role in India’s recent white-ball dominance, these records could very well fall in the upcoming series.

Consistent Performer Across Formats

Iyer’s ODI numbers are nothing short of impressive. In 70 ODIs, he has amassed 2,845 runs at a stellar average of 48.22, including 6 centuries and 22 fifties. His highest score remains an unbeaten 128*, and he boasts a clean strike rate of 100.00, reflecting his ability to keep the scoreboard ticking without compromising on consistency.

Across 135 international appearances, Iyer has accumulated 4,760 runs at an average of 40.68. He’s registered 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries, with that unbeaten 128* standing out as a recurring career-best across formats. He has faced 4,943 deliveries, maintaining an overall strike rate of 96.29, a testament to his adaptability and tempo control.

IPL Heroics and Champions Trophy Form

Despite his current stature and consistent form, Iyer was one of the most surprising exclusions from India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad, a decision that drew sharp criticism from fans and cricketing legends alike.

This, despite the fact that he played a pivotal role in India’s Champions Trophy 2025 triumph, emerging as the team’s highest run-getter and second overall, scoring 243 runs in five matches at an average of 48.60. He struck two fifties, with a top score of 79, often anchoring the innings under pressure.

In the IPL 2025, Iyer enjoyed arguably his best season yet, finishing as the sixth-highest run-scorer with 604 runs in 17 innings, at an average of 50.33 and a blistering strike rate of 175.07. He smashed six fifties, with a best of 97*, and played a captain’s knock by leading the Punjab Kings (PBKS) to their first IPL final in 10 years, a feat that earned him immense respect as both a batter and a tactician.

T20 Resurgence and the Curious Selection Call

Since India’s T20 World Cup win, Iyer has quietly built a case for his return to the T20I side. In 26 T20 matches, he has scored 949 runs at an average of 49.94 and a strike rate of 179.73. He has recorded one century and seven fifties, with a high score of 130 not out. Notably, his last T20I for India was back in late 2023, shortly after the ODI World Cup, where he scored a solid half-century.

Given his consistency, match-winning ability, and leadership credentials, Iyer’s exclusion from recent squads continues to raise eyebrows. With the Australia ODI series now at hand, the spotlight will once again be on him – not only for the personal milestones he’s chasing but also as a player who still has plenty to offer to Indian cricket.