‘Permanent hai bhai King ka number’ – Fans react to Shreyas Iyer’s million-dollar Virat Kohli mention after match-winning ton against Australia

India cemented their World No. 1 spot in ODIs after dominating the ongoing three-match series against Australia. A lot of questions have been answered for the Men in Blue ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup, which will surely boost their confidence in the marquee event. Most importantly, Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav found rhythm at the right time.

It will cause a serious headache for the Indian selectors with all their players back in form – but a good one. Suryakumar, who never performed well in the ODI format, clicked in the last two ODIs. Returning from injury, it was essential for Iyer to score big in the ongoing series and prove his mettle before the World Cup. Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also performed well in the second ODI, forcing the selectors to consider him in the quadrennial event.

India won the second ODI in Indore by 99 runs on Sunday to clinch the series 2-0 with one game to spare. On the back of Iyer and Gill’s blazing century, India posted a mammoth total of 399-5 in 50 overs. Iyer batted at No.3 but it is unlikely that he will play in the same position in the final ODI. With Virat Kohli, who was rested in the first two matches, returning to the team, the ace cricketer will be taking that spot. Kohli is synonymous with the No.3 position and Iyer admitted that there is a chance he can take that spot from “one of the greats”.

“I am flexible, ready to bat any position, whatever my team needs me to do. Virat (Kohli) is one of the greats, there’s no chance of stealing that (number 3) spot from him. I just need to keep scoring wherever (at any position) I bat, Iyer said at the post-match presentation.

Glad that I was able to execute my plans: Shreyas Iyer

The 28-year-old was the Player of the Match for his match-winning 105 off 90 balls. He and Shubman Gill put on a 200-run partnership for the second wicket.

“Grateful to be believing in myself. The pain and niggles kept on coming, but I knew what I was aiming for. Glad that I was able to execute my plans perfectly today. Basically, when I went in to bat, I didn’t want to complicate things. I wanted to get my eyes set, that’s how I give confidence to myself,” he added.

Here’s how fans reacted to Shreyas Iyer’s mention of Virat Kohli during the post-match presentation: