Shreyas IyerOne of the most promising batsmen in Indian cricket has ended a high and climbing career since its international start in 2017. Now 30, he has represented India in 135 matches. While he remains a regular in ODI cricket, his final examination appearance was in February 2024 and his final T20i outing came in December 2023.
Shreyas Iyer’s roller-coaster travel in Indian cricket
Iyer’s journey has been away from smooth. In 2024, Cricket Control Board in India (BCCI) After refusing to play domestic cricket for Mumbai, he made headlines by ending his central contract, citing a back injury. However, the BCCI medical team claimed that he was fit to play. Fallout noticated that Iyer lost his contract, a decision many people realized that its purpose was to set an example for others.
“Stop giving a sh*T about what people think about you”: Shreyas Iyer competed with disappointment
Speaking on IQOO India’s The Quest Talk Podcast, Shreyas Clearly revealed how he learned to deal with constant failures. Their mantra is clear: Stop worrying about external opinion and focus only on self-improvement.
“Stop giving a sh*T about what people think about you. The period. Once you have that mentality, you will continue to work on yourself. I keep learning every day. I think you are never right as a person, so keep learning, and knowledge is eternal. I am always ready to learn from my abilities and every day,” Shres said.
The batsman admitted that his perspective did not change overnight. The years of rejection and failures forced them to rethink their approach and create flexibility.
Shreyas also faced challenges in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite leading the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for his first IPL title in a decade, he was soon released by the franchise. No one was reduced, he made an impressive comeback by directing Punjab Kings (PBK) in the IPL 2025 final.
However, even success did not enough to secure him in India’s squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. For Shreyas, it was still another reminder of the unpredictableness of cricket and the importance of being grounded.
“Such stages have come in my life. It is not that I have gone straight and started thinking in this way, but obviously there have been failures. There have been failures. There have been ups and ridges. Life has been like a roller coaster ride. So, through all these, I have learned a lot,” He reflected.
Shreyas is inspired by non-selection in the national team
Accepting the frustration of the national squad’s disappearance despite continuous performance, Shreyas emphasized the importance of professionalism and hard work.
“This is disappointing when you know that you deserve to live in the team and the playing XI. But, when someone is performing and playing continuously for the team and playing your best, you support them. The target is to win the team. When the team is winning, everyone is happy when the team is winning, everyone is happy,” he explained.
For Shres, success is not only in selection, but also in maintaining discipline and still continues to give his best when no one is watching. “It’s not that you only work hard when the eyeballs are on you. Even when no one is watching, you have to hire,” He said.
Despite recent disappointments, Shreyas now has a golden opportunity to revive her test career. BCCI has named him the Captain A team of India for the upcoming home series against Australia A. The appointment offers them an opportunity to showcase their leadership and batting skills at one time when competition for middle -order spots remains fierce.
This call-up may be a well-stoned stone for Shreyas to retrieve its place in the senior test side, especially preparing a transitional phase in red-ball cricket with India.
Also read: Shreyas Iyer announced India to BCCI as Captain. A team for multi-day matches against Australia
