'If I Even Do It Wrong...': Shreyas Iyer Breaks Silence On Negative Attention For Missing Domestic Cricket
Shreyas Iyer , recently removed from the BCCI central contracts roster due to his perceived reluctance to participate in the Ranji Trophy, demonstrated remarkable resilience by scoring 95 runs in the final for Mumbai despite grappling with a recurring back injury .
Despite enduring a challenging month preceding the IPL , Shreyas Iyer, the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders ( KKR ), is determined to cast aside any negative sentiments. His recent exclusion from the BCCI central contracts list has drawn attention, yet his notable performance in the Mumbai final underscores his commitment to the game, even amid physical setbacks.
Although facing uncertainties about his fitness, the National Cricket Academy ( NCA ) has granted him permission to participate in the IPL, albeit with cautionary advice to avoid overexertion, particularly when lunging forward. Despite these precautions, Iyer remains confident in his readiness to lead KKR, emphasizing his optimal physical condition.
"I don't want to think about what the doctor has said, what the injury was because, as I mentioned previously, when you over-think, put your focus on the injury, and in that moment, forget about what you're doing the best," Iyer told mediapersons ahead of team's opening game against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
"So, I want to put all these things aside and focus on what's there for me on the plate," the skipper made his priority clear.
He personally believes he's in a positive mental state as he enters the tournament.
"I have ticked the boxes in every way possible so I am in high spirits," Iyer added.
"Right now, if I look at myself, I feel that I'm in the best shape possible. I played so many years in the IPL so it's not that I am completely distant from it. Personally, my preparation has been top-notch." He has done the hard yards and is ready for the big challenge.
"I've been doing my training regularly, I've been hitting the balls, and I've been batting for longer periods of time. So, that is something I'm thriving on."
Much discussion has revolved around Iyer and his back injury since his withdrawal from the Test series against England, especially considering his exclusion from a central contract leading up to the T20I World Cup in June.
"I'm looking forward to winning the IPL. If you would ask any captain, they would have the same mentality. And that's why you have to be in the present as much as possible."
While he's undoubtedly faced a wave of negative publicity recently, he prefers not to linger on those aspects.
"If you dwell too much either on past or future, I personally feel that you make a lot of mistakes. So, that's what I've learned over a period of time, that whatever is in your hand, you have to make the best use of it. The decision-making outside of it is not in your hand, and the more you dwell on that, the more mistakes you would be indulging in.
"So I just want to keep doing my work and see to it that I do it right. And if I even do it wrong, I want to learn from it and see to it that I don't repeat it again."
The upcoming season will see the return of Gautam Gambhir , the two-time IPL-winning captain, who is making a comeback as a mentor for the upcoming IPL. KKR, who haven't clinched a title since 2014, ended up in seventh place in the last two editions.
"He brings a lot of inputs. Strategically strong, having won two IPLs. Knows a lot about the venue and the opposition teams. Chandu sir (head coach Chandrakant Pandit) and Gautam sir give a lot of inputs. When I talk to them in practice, I get a lot of inputs.
"I have worked with him previously in a different franchise (Delhi) and I know what his mindset is. He is a fearless guy and he gives you a lot of freedom as a captain and also as a player.
"So, I am basically honoured to be playing under him and it gives a lot of pleasure for other players as well in the team to go and express themselves with freedom.
"Boys are in high spirits, to be honest. For me, particularly coming after a year, it gives me great pleasure to be back with the team. Looking at the spirits, I am also motivated internally." KKR also have revamped their pace bowling lineup by signing Mitchell Starc as the costliest ever buy of the IPL.
"Motivation is always good from the start. When Starc is in, it brings a lot of advantage. He can bowl anywhere, be it in powerplay, middle overs, or death. He carries a lot of experience. It's good for our youngsters as well."
Despite enduring a challenging month preceding the IPL , Shreyas Iyer, the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders ( KKR ), is determined to cast aside any negative sentiments. His recent exclusion from the BCCI central contracts list has drawn attention, yet his notable performance in the Mumbai final underscores his commitment to the game, even amid physical setbacks.
Although facing uncertainties about his fitness, the National Cricket Academy ( NCA ) has granted him permission to participate in the IPL, albeit with cautionary advice to avoid overexertion, particularly when lunging forward. Despite these precautions, Iyer remains confident in his readiness to lead KKR, emphasizing his optimal physical condition.
"I don't want to think about what the doctor has said, what the injury was because, as I mentioned previously, when you over-think, put your focus on the injury, and in that moment, forget about what you're doing the best," Iyer told mediapersons ahead of team's opening game against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
"So, I want to put all these things aside and focus on what's there for me on the plate," the skipper made his priority clear.
He personally believes he's in a positive mental state as he enters the tournament.
"I have ticked the boxes in every way possible so I am in high spirits," Iyer added.
"Right now, if I look at myself, I feel that I'm in the best shape possible. I played so many years in the IPL so it's not that I am completely distant from it. Personally, my preparation has been top-notch." He has done the hard yards and is ready for the big challenge.
"I've been doing my training regularly, I've been hitting the balls, and I've been batting for longer periods of time. So, that is something I'm thriving on."
Much discussion has revolved around Iyer and his back injury since his withdrawal from the Test series against England, especially considering his exclusion from a central contract leading up to the T20I World Cup in June.
"I'm looking forward to winning the IPL. If you would ask any captain, they would have the same mentality. And that's why you have to be in the present as much as possible."
While he's undoubtedly faced a wave of negative publicity recently, he prefers not to linger on those aspects.
"If you dwell too much either on past or future, I personally feel that you make a lot of mistakes. So, that's what I've learned over a period of time, that whatever is in your hand, you have to make the best use of it. The decision-making outside of it is not in your hand, and the more you dwell on that, the more mistakes you would be indulging in.
"So I just want to keep doing my work and see to it that I do it right. And if I even do it wrong, I want to learn from it and see to it that I don't repeat it again."
The upcoming season will see the return of Gautam Gambhir , the two-time IPL-winning captain, who is making a comeback as a mentor for the upcoming IPL. KKR, who haven't clinched a title since 2014, ended up in seventh place in the last two editions.
"He brings a lot of inputs. Strategically strong, having won two IPLs. Knows a lot about the venue and the opposition teams. Chandu sir (head coach Chandrakant Pandit) and Gautam sir give a lot of inputs. When I talk to them in practice, I get a lot of inputs.
"I have worked with him previously in a different franchise (Delhi) and I know what his mindset is. He is a fearless guy and he gives you a lot of freedom as a captain and also as a player.
"So, I am basically honoured to be playing under him and it gives a lot of pleasure for other players as well in the team to go and express themselves with freedom.
"Boys are in high spirits, to be honest. For me, particularly coming after a year, it gives me great pleasure to be back with the team. Looking at the spirits, I am also motivated internally." KKR also have revamped their pace bowling lineup by signing Mitchell Starc as the costliest ever buy of the IPL.
"Motivation is always good from the start. When Starc is in, it brings a lot of advantage. He can bowl anywhere, be it in powerplay, middle overs, or death. He carries a lot of experience. It's good for our youngsters as well."
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