Not too long ago Shreyas Iyer was scrutinised for his game against short-pitched bowling, but in 2025, the dynamic batter has turned his perceived weakness into a formidable strength. His scintillating 42-ball unbeaten 97 to power his team to an imposing 243 for five against Gujarat Titans was a testament to this transformation.

Till the end of 2024, Iyer averaged just 18.3 while playing the pull and hook shots against pacers across formats, albeit at an impressive strike rate of 158. The numbers highlighted his aggressive intent but also exposed a vulnerability that bowlers often targeted. However, in 2025, the equation changed dramatically. Iyer now averages a staggering 88 while playing these shots, with a blistering strike rate of 226, turning what was once a risky option into a dominant scoring method, according to the CricViz Analyst.