The three-match ODI series between India and New Zealand got underway last Sunday with the Shubman Gill-led hosts securing a thrilling four-wicket win after a late wobble in the successful chase of 301
at the Baroda Cricket Stadium. India looked set for a comfortable win after Virat Kohli’s 93 put them on course. However, late wickets allowed New Zealand to claw their way back into the contest and India had a little scare before KL Rahul and Harshit Rana took them over the line in the 49th over.
While Kohli deservedly took the spotlight, middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer left his mark as well while playing in his first international game since October last year. Iyer made his comeback from a long injury layoff and missed out on a half-century by just one run.
Together with Kohli, he added 77 runs for the third wicket before the former’s dismissal in the 40th over. Iyer struck four fours and a six during his 47-ball stay.
Iyer On Verge Of History
The 31-year-old is 34 runs away from completing 3000 runs in ODIs. So far, he has accumulated 2966 runs from 68 innings (74 ODIs). Should Iyer be able to get those runs in the second ODI, scheduled for Wednesday in Rajkot, he will become the quickest Indian batter to the milestone of 3000 runs in terms of innings.
Currently, the India record is held by Shikhar Dhawan who took 72 innings to get there. Kohli is second on this list having taken 75 innings while Rahul completes the top-three with 78 innings.
Five Quickest Indians To 3000 ODI Runs
- Shikhar Dhawan – 72 innings
- Virat Kohli – 75 innings
- KL Rahul – 78 innings
- Navjot Sidhu – 79 innings
- Sourav Ganguly – 82 innings
The all-time record is held by South Africa great Hashim Amla who needed 57 innings.
Five Quickest Batters To 3000 ODI Runs
- Hashim Amla – 57 innings
- Shai Hope, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq – 67 innings
- Babar Azam – 68 innings
- Viv Richards – 69 innings
- Gordon Greenidge – 72 innings
India have a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and will be hoping to close out the series on Wednesday itself.
