“…He didn’t get out to a short ball in Perth” – Abhishek Nayar on Shreyas Iyer ahead of AUS vs IND 2nd ODI 2025

Former India player Abhishek Nayar said that Shreyas Iyer did not get out to a short ball in the second ODI against Australia. He explained that the middle-order batter was troubled by a seaming delivery around his waist, which he could not control.

Shreyas was caught behind on the leg side off a Josh Hazlewood delivery for 11 runs off 24 balls in the first ODI against Australia in Perth on Sunday, October 19. The Men in Blue lost the match by seven wickets via the DLS method. They will hope to bounce back and level the series in the second game in Adelaide on Thursday, October 23.

During an interview on the Star Sports show Game Plan, Nayar was asked about Shreyas and whether he got out to a short ball in Perth. He was also asked if the right-handed batter would be targeted the same way in Adelaide.

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Abhishek Nayar said, “I don’t agree that he got out to a short ball in Perth. I think it was a good ball because he was cramped. The ball moved in and came towards his waist, and he couldn’t control it. He will also think about it. He knows it was Perth, and now we have to go to Adelaide.”

The former India assistant coach added that Australia might use a different plan against Shreyas Iyer in Adelaide because the side boundaries are smaller.

“The side boundaries in Perth are big, but in Adelaide, they are small. So, will they use the short ball again? Will they come with the same plan? These are the match-ups. At the international level, players don’t come with the same strategy in every match,” Nayar said.

He also mentioned that Mitchell Starc might bowl a full and fast first ball to Shreyas Iyer at the Adelaide Oval. Nayar advised Shreyas not to think about Perth anymore and to focus on making good memories and gaining experience in Adelaide.

“The first thing he will be practising is the toss” – Abhishek Nayar on Shubman Gill

On Game Plan, Abhishek Nayar was asked about Shubman Gill’s mindset before the second ODI after his unlucky dismissal in the first game against Australia.

Nayar said, “I think the first thing he will be practising is the toss. As a team, we have lost 16 tosses. In Perth, when you lose the toss and the ball is moving, with rain and breaks, it’s not easy. No excuses, but it’s tough for any batsman. So, start with the toss and get the advantage for India.”

He added that senior players and the coaching staff would help Gill and the team make a comeback after the defeat in Perth.

“As captain, he was tested in England too, and the team made a comeback there. You can expect the same from this team. They always fight back. It’s also a test for him as a captain. He has support from players like Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and Gautam Gambhir,” Nayar said.

To end, Abhishek Nayar said there is no better place than Australia for a captain to prove himself and lead the team from a loss to a series win.