I was watching a movie: Shreyas Iyer reveals his late inclusion in India's playing XI for first ODI
Nagpur/IBNS: Shreyas Iyer played a crucial role beside Shubman Gill's heroics in India's comfortable victory over England in the first One Day International (ODI) in Nagpur on Thursday.

In a match where star batter Virat Kohli was missing, Iyer came out to bat at a challenging time when the home team were struggling at 19-2.
Contrary to what was widely assumed, it was Iyer who replaced Kohli who missed the first ODI due to a sore knee.
Though it was assumed that Yashasvi Jaiswal, who made his ODI debut on Thursday, replaced Kohli, Iyer revealed a different story.
Speaking in the post-match presser, Iyer said, "So [a] funny story. I was watching a movie last night, I thought I could extend my night, but then I got a call from [the] skipper saying that 'you may play because Virat has got a swollen knee'. And then hurried back to my room, went off to sleep straight away."
Chasing 249, India lost early wickets in the form of Yashasvi Jaiswal (15) and skipper Rohit Sharma (2) but Gill (87 from 96 balls) was joined by Shreyas Iyer, who counter-attacked the English bowlers to stitch a partnership of 94 runs.
Iyer slammed a quick 59 from only 36 balls (9 fours and 2 sixes) until he was dismissed leg before wicket by Jacob Bethell.
Gill was then joined by allrounder Axar Patel, who followed Iyer's footsteps in slamming an aggressive 52 from 47 balls.
IBNS
Senior Staff Reporter at Northeast Herald, covering news from Tripura and Northeast India.
Related Articles

ICC launches inaugural Women’s Cricket Week: A Global Celebration of the Women’s Game
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced the first-ever ICC Women’s Cricket Week, a global celebration of women’s cricket set to run from 16 to 22 October, aligning with the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.

Jadeja, Siraj attain career-best positions in ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings
India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja’s standout performance in the first match of their ICC World Test Championship series against the West Indies in Ahmedabad has helped him reach a career-best 25th position in the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings.

India clinch 88-run win over Pakistan in ICC Women's Cricket World Cup
India clinch 88-run win over Pakistan in ICC Women's Cricket World Cup

India's tour to Australia: Shubman Gill replaces Rohit Sharma as ODI skipper
The selectors of the Board of Control for Cricket in India on Saturday named Shubman Gill as the new skipper of the Indian ODI team, replacing Rohit Sharma.
Latest News

Mandala Arts and India Development Service presents '6-A Akash Ganga' film screening: Story of musician Annapurna Devi

One govt job per household: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's massive Bihar poll promise

India-UK's growing partnership is important for global stability: PM Modi in joint statement with Keir Starmer

Coldrif scandal: Owner of pharma company that manufactured adulterated cough syrup arrested after 20 children died
