Special Feeling To Win First Series As Captain, Says Shreyas Iyer
HARARE – India captain Shreyas Iyer described leading the team to a 3-0 T20I series sweep over Zimbabwe as a “special feeling” and credited the young squad’s fearless approach and energy after India completed a 35-run victory in the third and final match at the Harare Sports Club on July 26.
After series defeats in Ireland and England earlier this year, the victory marked Iyer’s maiden series win as India’s T20I captain.
“As we saw how fearless they are, they are a young bunch of players who have been showing tremendous energy on the field and the intent, especially when you play back-to-back games.
“To have such kind of energy is what I require as a captain and as a team, and they could deliver today as well, back-to-back games. So, yeah, a special feeling for me to win the series over here in Zimbabwe. Clinical, 3-0. So it’s a special moment,” Iyer said after the match.
Downplaying suggestions that he shoulders greater responsibility than his younger teammates, Iyer said the Indian Premier League (IPL) has given many players valuable top-level experience.
“I think if you see the record, I’ve played almost a similar amount of matches compared to all of them, which is around 55 to 60. So, I mean, experience-wise, there are many players who have tremendous experience because nowadays they play in the IPL as well.
“So, they are special talent and the best you could get out of them, it’s beneficial for the team as well. So every time I step onto the field, I see to it that how I can make sure that they are comfortable and relaxed because that’s when you can get the best out of them,” he said.
Highlighting the team’s all-round effort, Iyer stressed the importance of maintaining consistency and courage as India prepares for upcoming assignments, including a home white-ball series against the West Indies and the Asian Games in Japan, where he is set to lead the T20 side.
“So we have created the momentum right now and it’s important that we are consistent with our approach and attitude. It’s going to be challenging going forward as well, but the amount of calmness that we possess and if we show the same amount of courage going forward, I think it’s going to be great for Indian cricket,” he said.
Asked about the key takeaway from the series, Iyer reiterated the team’s philosophy of focusing on continuous improvement rather than results.
“I think the standard that we set right from match one, if we keep levelling up or rather than worrying too much about the results, all we need to do is think about going a notch above every time you step out on the field.
“And that’s what we kept on giving the message to all the players, saying that, it doesn’t matter what situation we are facing, it’s important that we are playing to the best of our abilities and seeing to it that we take the team through,” Iyer concluded. (IANS)
