Shreyas Iyer Lauds Cooper Connolly’s Maturity in Australia’s Series Win
Shreyas Iyer was full of praise for Australia’s young sensation Cooper Connolly, who guided his team to a thrilling two-wicket victory over India in the second ODI on October 23 (Thursday). The win helped Australia seal the three-match ODI series 2-0, with one match still remaining.
India, trailing 0-1 after losing the first ODI in Perth, were eager to level the series in the second match. Despite a strong start led by Iyer’s composed 61 off 77 balls, Connolly’s remarkable innings ensured the visitors couldn’t defend their total of 264/9.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Iyer said,
“They played brilliantly — the way they batted and rotated strike was commendable. Cooper, especially being a youngster, showed immense maturity to finish off the game. It shows a lot of character.”
Iyer also mentioned that he had noticed Connolly’s potential during the India A vs Australia A series, appreciating the left-hander’s calculated approach.
“He was charging the bowlers but was very selective about who to target. So credit where it’s due,” Iyer added.
Iyer Reflects on His Partnership With Rohit and Red-Ball Absence
Iyer’s 118-run partnership with Rohit Sharma for the third wicket was pivotal in giving India a fighting total. He acknowledged that building that stand was crucial on a tricky surface.
“We were just trying to build momentum because Hazlewood was bowling brilliantly. The ball was seaming in and out, and it wasn’t easy to bat early on,” he said.
Despite his consistent performances in ODIs and domestic cricket, Iyer has been notably absent from India’s red-ball setup. Breaking his silence, he explained the reasoning behind his decision to step away from the longer format.
“When I returned to red-ball cricket after the Champions Trophy and IPL, I realised that when I field for long periods, my intensity drops. The level of energy required at the international stage was something I couldn’t sustain, so I decided to take a break and informed the selectors,” Iyer revealed.
While Iyer didn’t confirm whether he plans to make a comeback to Test cricket in the future, his honesty shed light on the physical and mental demands faced by modern cricketers.
India will now look to regroup and finish the series on a positive note in the third ODI in Sydney, as Australia celebrates yet another series triumph led by their rising star, Cooper Connolly.
