India had already made a forced change, with star batter Virat Kohli ruled out due to a swollen right knee. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had not yet played an ODI, was handed his debut. While many assumed Jaiswal was a direct replacement for Kohli, Iyer\u2019s revelation suggests that Jaiswal was already included in the team\u2019s plans, with Iyer set to start the series on the bench.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"So, funny story,\" Iyer shared. \"I was watching a movie last night, thinking I could extend my night, but then I got a call from the skipper saying that I might play because Virat has got a swollen knee. And then I hurried back to my room and went off to sleep straight away.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
When asked about Jaiswal being included ahead of him in the original XI, Iyer tactfully avoided controversy. \"You know what you want me to say, but I'm going to keep it low-key and cherish this moment, the victory today,\" he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Jaiswal\u2019s inclusion led to a reshuffle in India\u2019s top order. Regular openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill were split, with Gill moving down to No. 3. Had Kohli been available, it remains unclear who would have occupied the crucial No. 3 slot.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Iyer has been India\u2019s preferred No. 4 batter in ODIs in recent years and was instrumental in their run to the 2023 World Cup final. He scored 468 runs in the tournament at an impressive average of 66.25, including two centuries, one of which was a dominant 70-ball 105 in the semi-final against New Zealand. His strike rate of 113.24 was the highest among India\u2019s middle-order batters.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Jaiswal\u2019s inclusion led to a reshuffle in India\u2019s top order. Regular openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill were split, with Gill moving down to No. 3. Had Kohli been available, it remains unclear who would have occupied the crucial No. 3 slot.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Also Read: <\/b> Highest tax paying cricketers<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n