Shreyas Iyer Looks to Extend Impressive Record Against New Zealand in Champions Trophy Final

As India prepares to face New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy final on March 9 at Dubai International Stadium, India’s middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer will be under the spotlight. Known for balancing caution with aggression, Iyer’s performances in the ongoing tournament and his remarkable history against New Zealand will be crucial in determining India’s fortunes.

India enters the final undefeated in this Champions Trophy, but they face a challenging opponent in New Zealand, who have consistently excelled with both bat and ball under captain Mitchell Santner. The upcoming final holds special significance as it brings back memories of the 2000 Champions Trophy final, which saw New Zealand emerge victorious. Team India will also seek redemption for their previous defeats to the Kiwis in the 2019 Cricket World Cup semifinal and the 2021 ICC World Test Championship final.

Shreyas Iyer’s record against New Zealand, particularly in ODI cricket, has been exceptional. In eight innings against the Kiwis, Iyer has amassed 563 runs at an impressive average of 70.37, including two centuries and four fifties. His strike rate of 100.71 highlights his attacking style, and his highest score against New Zealand stands at 105.

One of Iyer’s most memorable innings came in the ICC Cricket World Cup semifinal against New Zealand at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, his home ground. He scored a sensational 105 runs off just 70 balls, smashing four boundaries and eight sixes. This innings remains the fastest century (67 balls) in the knockout stages of Cricket World Cup history.

Additionally, Iyer’s success against the Blackcaps is not limited to ODIs. He also scored a century on his Test debut against New Zealand in November 2021. Across all formats combined, Iyer has scored 990 runs in 23 innings against New Zealand, averaging 47.14, with three centuries and six half-centuries, and a highest score of 105*.

In the current Champions Trophy tournament, Iyer has been India’s second-highest scorer and the sixth-highest overall, accumulating 195 runs in four matches at an average of 48.75. His best score so far is 79, with a strike rate of 79.91. Throughout this year, his ODI form has been consistent, scoring 376 runs in seven matches at an average of 53.71, including four fifties and a best score of 79.