Ashwin lauds Iyer's performance [Source: AP Photo]
Ravichandran Ashwin has heaped a significant praise on Shreyas Iyer for his stellar run in the ongoing 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The former Indian spinner described Iyer as India’s biggest game changer ahead of the final match against New Zealand, and stated that his ability of combating spin has even helped Virat Kohli to an extent.
It is worth noting that both Kohli and Iyer have emerged as two of India’s highest run-makers of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy so far.
Ravi Ashwin hails Shreyas Iyer ahead of IND vs NZ Final
While speaking on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat, Ravichandran Ashwin praised Shreyas Iyer for his ability of tackling spin bowling. The legendary Indian spinner believes that Virat Kohli has been able to bat freely because of Iyer’s free-flowing rhythm off late.
Shreyas Iyer tallied consecutive match-winning fifties against Pakistan and New Zealand as Team India topped the Group A points table of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The cricketer also punched out a swift 45 against Australia in the semifinals at the Dubai International Stadium. Overall, Iyer has accrued 195 runs in four innings of the ongoing tournament at an average of 48.75.
Virat Kohli, on the other hand, has hauled 217 runs in four innings courtesy of a century against Pakistan and a half-century against Australia. Heading into the final, Kohli is ranked fourth among the leading run-scorers of the competition and needs just 11 more runs to soar past table-topper Ben Duckett.
The final match between India and New Zealand will be hosted by Dubai on Sunday, March 9.