Iyer returned from a back injury recently to reclaim his number four position and scored a three-ball duck in Sunday's opener against Australia.
Chasing 200 for victory, India were in trouble after both openers -- Ishan Kishan and skipper Rohit Sharma -- had fallen before they could open their account.
Former India stalwart Yuvraj Singh was aghast at Iyer's casual drive that David Warner pouched at short cover.
Number five Rahul made an unbeaten 97 to secure India's victory after forging a match-winning partnership with Virat Kohli in Chennai.
He understands the moment, that was the reason he has been in the team," Rathour said.
Persons:
India's Shreyas Iyer, Australia's Mitchell Starc, Mohammed Siraj REUTERS, Adnan Abidi, KL Rahul, Vikram Rathour, Iyer, Kishan, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh, David Warner pouched, Yuvraj, India's, Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rathour, Shreyas, Shubman Gill, Amlan Chakraborty, Ed Osmond
Organizations:
Cricket, ICC Cricket, Chidambaram, KL, Afghanistan, Australia, Thomson
Locations:
India, Australia, Chennai, DELHI, New Delhi