NEW DELHI: Shreyas Iyer is back in India colours as the hosts gear up for the ODI series against England that is being viewed as a tune-up for the Champions Trophy.
Ahead of the first ODI in Nagpur on Thursday, the Indian cricket board (BCCI) shared a video on X where Shreyas Iyer talks about defining success.
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Shreyas Iyer says in the video, “I feel this gap that I got from international cricket has given me a lot of learnings. To be honest, I don’t run behind success, I follow a certain type of routine and preparation which will take me towards success. For me champion is…me. It is all in the mind, I personally feel there is no one to support you other than yourself. Keep elevating yourself, transforming yourself from one level to another and you never cry over spilt milk.”
During his time away from international cricket, Iyer played a major role in Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy, Irani Cup and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy triumphs.
Iyer also successfully led Kolkata Knight Riders to the title in IPL 2024.
“See I always keep saying that I love staying in the present and I have been grateful that I won so many championships in 2024. But the more I do the things that I keep repeating every now and then, that inevitably gets me the result. I think the journey overall, it teaches you a lot, you win some you lose some and you experience a lot. If you run behind something, you’ll definitely get it but there’s a journey towards it, it’s not that you get it overnight. The more you achieve, the more success you get, it is essential and important to be down to earth and see to it that you show that gratifying gesture towards everyone,” Iyer adds.
Having last played for India during the Sri Lanka tour in August, Iyer kept his spot in the Indian team for England ODI series and the Champions Trophy.
Iyer had a dismal outing in Sri Lanka ODIs as he could muster only 38 runs in the three games at a lowly average of 12.66. But the 30-year-old Mumbai batter bounced back in style in the 2024-25 domestic season.
Iyer continues in the video, “I never underestimate myself. I see to it that I don’t have realistic thoughts because whenever I have realistic thoughts, I personally feel that I am doubting my abilities and you are limiting yourself to excel. Because you see so many failures people keep talking about your skills, your techniques and lot of the other things so you just turn a deaf ear and at the end of the day that self-belief is the most important point.”
Despite performing quite well in the 2023 ODI World Cup on home soil, Iyer was dropped from the BCCI central contract list owing to disciplinary issues which also included his absence from domestic competitions.
“I love to be in the present, and that’s what I’m going to do, focus on the ODI series right now match by match. The learnings, the knowledge that I would be gaining out of this specially coming after a long time in joining the team, it gives me chills every time I wear the Indian team jersey, that logo, emblem on my helmet, it’s a proud moment and I would absolutely play the game with full energy and give my best,” Iyer concludes.
With a combined total of 4,336 runs across 14 Tests, 62 ODIs, and 51 T20Is at an average of 39.77 and a stunning strike-rate of 96.57, including six centuries, Iyer has established himself as a dependable middle-order batter.