Former off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said that Shreyas Iyer will be the game-changer for India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final clash against New Zealand. Ravichandran Ashwin stated that Shreyas Iyer’s dominance against spinners in the middle overs has allowed Virat Kohli to play freely.
India will lock horns with New Zealand in the final in Dubai on Sunday, March 9. Team India secured a 44-run victory over the Black Caps in the group stage. However, New Zealand have never lost to India in ICC tournament finals, including the 2000 Champions Trophy final and the 2021 WTC final.
The Game-Changer Will Be Shreyas Iyer – Ravichandran Ashwin
Speaking on his Hindi YouTube channel “Ash Ki Baat,” Ravichandran Ashwin recalled a post-match conversation where Robin Uthappa asked Shreyas Iyer about his composure. Ashwin also mentioned Iyer’s impressive performances during the ICC ODI World Cup 2023.
“For me, the game-changer will be Shreyas Iyer. It is because of his recent form,” Ashwin said on his Hindi YouTube channel “Ash Ki Baat.”
“He was doing a post-match with Robin Uthappa. Robin asked him, how he is so composed? Then he said, ‘I have worked on my breathing technique.’ This guy has had an excellent 2023 World Cup. He has batted well against New Zealand. He has played well at the Wankhede in Mumbai. And once again, in this tournament, he has looked crackerjack,” he added.
Shreyas Iyer Has Played a Part in Virat Kohli’s Success – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin said that Shreyas Iyer’s aggressive approach against spin has eased pressure on Virat Kohli. Ashwin highlighted that both batters contribute to each other’s success.
“Virat Kohli is able to play the way he is playing because Shreyas Iyer is playing this way against spin,” Ashwin said.
“So, the captains are in a catch-22 situation. There will be a partnership between Shreyas and Virat. When there is a partnership between Virat and Shreyas, the captains can’t enforce a spin choke. Shreyas is removing all the pressure from Virat. So, these two in the middle overs have forged a formidable pair,” he continued.
“And for Virat’s success, Shreyas Iyer has played a part in it. And for Shreyas’s success, Virat has a part in it. Because this is what people call playing in partnerships.”
Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer Lead Batting Charts in ICC Champions Trophy
Virat Kohli has been in outstanding form in the 2025 Champions Trophy. He scored 217 runs in four innings at an impressive average of 72.33, including one half-century and one century. Kohli has amassed 746 runs in 16 innings at a remarkable average of 82.88 during Champions Trophy history.
Shreyas Iyer had a slow start to the tournament, scoring just 15 runs in India’s opening match against Bangladesh. He regained form with 56 runs off 67 balls in a six-wicket victory against Pakistan. Iyer is India’s second-highest run-scorer in the tournament with 195 runs in four innings at an average of 48.75.
It is worth mentioning that Shreyas has an impressive record against New Zealand in ODIs. The right-handed batter has scored 563 runs in eight innings at an average of 70.38. He has two centuries and four fifties, with 33 being his lowest score against the Black Caps.
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