Indian middle-order batter and T20I skipper Shreyas Iyer reached the milestone of 5,000 international runs during the first T20I against England at Chester-le-Street on Tuesday. He scored 68 runs off 47 balls, including six fours and a six, at a strike rate of over 144.
Iyer's career milestones
In 147 matches for India across formats, Iyer has amassed 5,031 runs at an average of 39.61 and a strike rate of 96.06, with six centuries and 37 fifties. His highest score is 128 not out. In Test cricket, he has played 14 matches, scoring 811 runs in 24 innings at an average of 36.86, including one century and five fifties. His best Test score is 105.
ODIs remain Iyer's strongest format. In 79 ODIs, he has scored 3,035 runs in 73 innings at an average of 45.98 and a strike rate of 98.60, with five centuries and 23 fifties. His top ODI score is 128 not out. In T20Is, he has made 1,184 runs in 54 matches (50 innings) at an average of 30.38 and a strike rate of over 135, with nine fifties and a best of 74 not out.
Abhishek Sharma's record sixes
The match also marked a historic moment for hard-hitting opener Abhishek Sharma, who completed 100 sixes in T20Is. He reached the milestone in just 785 balls, surpassing West Indies' Evin Lewis (789 balls) to become the fastest to 100 T20I sixes among players from Test-playing nations. Abhishek scored a blistering 59 off 24 balls, with six fours and four sixes, at a strike rate of over 245. He now has 102 T20I sixes.
Match summary
Powered by knocks from Iyer and Abhishek, along with a cameo from Shivam Dube (42 not out off 21 balls, with two fours and three sixes), India posted 189 for 7 in 20 overs. However, rain prevented England from batting, and the match ended in a no result. The second T20I will be held in Manchester on Saturday, July 4.
