Shreyas Iyer has emerged as India’s most reliable No 4 batter in the Champions Trophy, despite initially being on the verge of exclusion from the squad. After a match-winning 79 against New Zealand, he highlighted his personal growth over the last year and a half, emphasizing self-reliance in facing challenges. Iyer expressed that it’s crucial to back oneself rather than rely on others, focusing on staying present and not dwelling on the past. He acknowledged the importance of his partnership with Axar Patel, which helped stabilize the team’s performance after early wickets, emphasizing the need for building partnerships and maintaining momentum.
Although not initially considered a key player when India’s Champions Trophy squad was selected, Shreyas Iyer has emerged as the most dependable No. 4 batter in the team. Iyer, who was rumored to be left out of the lineup for the first ODI against England prior to the Champions Trophy, has delivered impressive performances since, reaffirming his remarkable skills in the 50-over format. Following a match-winning 79 against New Zealand on Sunday, Iyer reflected on how the past year and a half has contributed significantly to his personal growth, which he is now leveraging.
Iyer’s situation was intriguing within the Indian team, despite his consistent performance in the ODI World Cup 2023. Reports indicated he was not guaranteed a spot in the Champions Trophy playing XI. However, he persevered and secured his middle-order position.
After the match against the Kiwis, Iyer expressed that it is his responsibility to advocate for himself instead of relying on others. For him, it is always about ‘you versus you,’ as no one else will come to his aid.
“It has definitely taught me a lot as a person, as an individual, on how to take the responsibility on myself rather than depending on someone else because over a period of time, I realized that it’s only you versus you. No one is going to be there to help you in your tough times, but there are only limited people who would be there and you know them very closely. So yeah, I’ve been just backing myself and showing that sort of confidence in every situation I enter in. I always love to back my instincts,” Iyer shared with the broadcaster after the game on Sunday.
“I keep saying that again and again, and I think that’s what has helped me in the last 1.5 years. And also the technique that I’ve developed. I think we had a vivid chat about it. But other than that, just to stay in the present as much as possible and not to dwell in those thoughts which have happened in the past,” he added.
Iyer also discussed his partnership with Axar Patel in the middle order, which played a crucial role in stabilizing the innings after the top three batters fell early.
“Yeah, obviously you see the ball was coming a bit slowly onto the bat initially. And it was important and crucial for the team to build a partnership from there on, and Axar I think played a brilliant knock to get those crucial 40 runs for the team, and we almost had a partnership of 100, which was essential at that point of time. So, yeah, that was the mindset—just to keep ticking the scoreboard and to get boundaries here and there which can possibly get the momentum towards us,” said the batter.
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