Shreyas Iyer and Firm Capacity

Shreyas Iyer and Firm Capacity

Before the 2019 Cricket World Cup, India's biggest concern was finding a reliable No. 4 batsman. The team struggled to strike the right balance—either they had ultra-aggressive players like Rishabh Pant or overly defensive ones like Cheteshwar Pujara. They experimented with Ajinkya Rahane but lacked confidence in his ability to handle spin. Ambati Rayudu seemed like a successful choice, but his calmness was mistaken for a lack of confidence, leading to his exclusion. Ultimately, India entered the World Cup without a solid No. 4. This weakness was brutally exposed in the semifinal against New Zealand when the team collapsed and lacked a dependable and Firm player to stabilize the innings. While multiple factors contributed to India's exit, one of the key reasons was the absence of a skillful No. 4 who could adapt his game based on the situation. Given these demands, the No. 4 position remains one of the most trusted and crucial roles in any team.

Role of Shreyas Iyer in 2023 as well as 2025 world tournaments: -

When analyzing the 2023 World Cup, Shreyas Iyer emerged as one of India's key players in a highly successful campaign. He finished as the third-highest run-scorer after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. In the semifinal against New Zealand—India’s opponent from the 2019 World Cup—this time, it was Iyer who built a crucial partnership with Kohli, enabling India to post a massive total of 397. His approach was neither overly aggressive nor overly defensive; instead, he adapted seamlessly to the demands of the game. Standing firm alongside Kohli, he played with intelligence, caution, and resilience, absorbing the challenges posed by the New Zealand attack. He displayed the same qualities in India's triumphant 2025 Champions Trophy campaign, further solidifying his reputation as a dependable and composed No. 4.

Shreyas Iyer’s impact cannot be measured merely by the number of runs he scores. He may not always walk away with Man of the Match awards, but his true value lies in the way he shapes an innings. His presence at the crease brings stability, balance, and a sense of assurance that goes beyond statistics. The only way to truly understand his importance is to feel his innings—the quiet resilience, the calculated strokes, and the ability to adapt to the game’s demands when it matters the most.

"Coming from a Power System background and understanding Power needs I am not necessarily speaking about "Cricket" here nor about "India's No 4". For successful energy transition you need Shreyas Iyer viz. Minimum CC should be greater than 0.7 "