Iyer's Short Ball Woes: Rayudu Defends Batter

Ambati Rayudu, a former India batter, has voiced his support for Shreyas Iyer after the middle-order batsman was dismissed by a difficult short-pitched ball in the second ODI against New Zealand. Rayudu suggested that the delivery from Kyle Jamieson was challenging enough to dismiss any batter.

Iyer was dismissed for 30 after scoring 46 balls, with a climbing, awkward bouncer from Jamieson finding the top edge for a catch. This was Iyer's second dismissal to a short ball in the series. Rayudu commented on Cricbuzz that the delivery was tough for most batters and Iyer's knock was crucial for India's win.

Former spinner Murali Kartik attributed Iyer's dismissal partly to the difficult pitch conditions, noting that many batters struggled. He stated that consistent performance on such pitches was challenging, and while one player could have shifted the momentum, it was a tough scenario.

Despite Shreyas Iyer's recent dip in form, averaging 26.00 in ODIs this year before the second ODI, Rayudu believes these batting collapses are not a significant concern. He attributes the struggles to the challenging New Zealand conditions, urging a comparison of performance against the home side.

India secured a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. The third ODI is scheduled for Tuesday, November 10, 2026, in Hamilton. Following the ODI series, the Test squad members will depart to prepare for a two-match Test series, with Shreyas Iyer set to captain India for the remaining ODIs.