WATCH: Shreyas Iyer’s explosive response to reporter’s ‘Short ball problem’ query stuns press

India’s middle order batter Shreyas Iyer left the press stunned with his explosive response to a reporter’s query about his supposed “short ball problem.” Iyer attended a press conference after India’s resounding 302-run win over Sri Lanka in the 33rd ODI World Cup 2023 clash against Sri Lanka. However, the press conference took an unexpected turn when a reporter questioned Iyer’s ability to handle short-pitched deliveries. 

Iyer, known for his impeccable batting skills and fearless approach, didn’t hold back. With a steely resolve, he calmly explained how the media have created an environment due to which everyone on social media thinks that he can’t play against the short-pitched deliveries. His fiery response silenced critics and showcased his unwavering determination to continuously evolve as a cricketer.

Watch the video here:

Players are bound to get out on any sort of deliveries: Shreyas Iyer 

Reporter asked, “I wanted to ask, short ball has been a problem for you since the beginning of this World Cup and today we saw some great pull shots. How much are you prepared for the next match against South Africa because we know how good they are with the short balls.”

Iyer responded, “When you say it’s a problem for me what do you mean?”

The reporter clarified, “Not a problem, problem exactly but it has troubled you.”

Iyer replied, “Troubled me? Have you seen how many pull shots I’ve scored? Specially which has gone for four. If you’re trying to hit a ball, you’re bound to get out anyway. Irrespective it’s a short ball, it’s an over pitch. If I get bowled two or three times, you all would say that, OK, he can’t play an in-swinging ball. He can’t play a cut if a ball is seeming.

So, see, we, as players are bound to get out on any sort of deliveries. You guys have created that environment outside that he can’t play a short ball. And I feel that people are picking that up every now and then and it plays on your mind regularly and you keep working on that.

Coming from Mumbai, especially from Wankhede, where the bounce is pretty much even and it bounces way more than any other pitches. So, I’ve played the majority of my games here, so I know how to tackle it. It’s just that when I go to hit some shots, you are bound to get out and sometimes it may work, sometimes it may not. And the majority of the time it hasn’t worked for me, maybe that’s the reason you think it’s a problem for me. But in my mind, I know there’s no problem.” Iyer said during the press conference.

Iyer has been dismissed multiple times against a short-pitched delivery but his magnificent performance against Sri Lanka in which he played a brilliant knock of 83 runs which came off just 56 deliveries has shut down the criticism.