Leading the side in the series opener at Chester-le-Street, Iyer struck 68 off 47 deliveries to anchor India\u2019s innings after the visitors were reduced to 6\/2 inside the first two overs. His knock, along with Abhishek Sharma\u2019s explosive 59 off just 24 balls and Shivam Dube\u2019s unbeaten 42 off 21 deliveries, helped India recover to post a competitive 189\/7.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, persistent rain after the completion of India\u2019s innings prevented England from beginning their chase, forcing the match to be abandoned without a result.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Reflecting on Iyer\u2019s innings, Parthiv said the India skipper displayed excellent awareness by complementing Abhishek\u2019s aggressive approach instead of looking for big hits himself. \u201cThose raising questions over Shreyas Iyer would have felt a lot more relieved after this innings. As a player, Shreyas Iyer doesn\u2019t have to worry about anything. He\u2019s a proven performer in this format. It was a very important innings because India had lost two early wickets, while at the other end, Abhishek Sharma was batting quite aggressively. So, Shreyas had to play the second fiddle rather than rely too much on hitting sixes, which is something every Indian player is so used to from playing in the IPL,\" Parthiv told Jio Hotstar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cYou have to rotate the strike, and score boundaries along the ground. I thought it was a masterclass from Shreyas Iyer, understanding the situation and the dimensions of the ground. That\u2019s something both the captain and the Indian team would have learned from those two games against Ireland,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Patel also felt India\u2019s batting display was an important step forward after an inconsistent start to the tour during the two T20Is against Ireland, saying the innings showed the team\u2019s ability to adapt to different conditions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cYou have to rotate the strike, and score boundaries along the ground. I thought it was a masterclass from Shreyas Iyer, understanding the situation and the dimensions of the ground. That\u2019s something both the captain and the Indian team would have learned from those two games against Ireland,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India and England will now clash in Manchester in the second T20I at Emirates Old Trafford, with the five-match series still level after the rain washed out the opener.<\/p>\r\n\r\n