India T20I captain Shreyas Iyer said he has the same mindset as head coach Gautam Gambhir ahead of the T20I series against England. After India’s disappointing 2-0 defeat to Ireland, Iyer said the team would play aggressive cricket while maintaining a united dressing room throughout the tour.
Team India will start the five-match T20 series against England on July 1 at Chester-le-Street. The visitors will be keen to bounce back from Ireland’s setback and build momentum against a strong England team, with the series serving as an important stepping stone in their preparations for future ICC tournaments.
I want to be dangerous for my opponents – Shreyas Iyer
Speaking before the first T20 match, Shreyas Iyer said that he wants India to play fearless and aggressive cricket. The captain said that he wants every player to show confidence on the field and make the opponents feel the pressure from the beginning.
“I just love being a threat to opponents. I want to have that aggressive, fearless approach when I step on the field. I want my troops to rally around that mentality where opponents are a little bit intimidated by our personality, our presence on the field. And I want every single person on the team to think about that, because it’s like a war to me when I step on the field.”
We are starting from zero again – Shreyas Iyer on Gautam Gambhir’s message
Shreyas Iyer said that Gautam Gambhir has asked the team to leave past achievements behind and focus on creating a new chapter. He admitted that the Ireland series was not the start India wanted, but believes the young team will improve with more matches together in overseas conditions.
“I think Gauti Bhai had mentioned in one of his interviews that we were world champions. This is a new paragraph that starts together where I am the leader of the team, and we are starting from zero again. Certainly not the start we wanted, but coming into new circumstances there was a lot to learn.”
“Most of the players are playing in England and Ireland for the first time, so it’s a learning opportunity for them as well, and we also have to build that camaraderie where everyone starts supporting and trusting each other, and that will only come through the more matches we play.”
I want to win every match” – Shreyas Iyer on India’s mentality
The Indian captain said that victory should be the biggest goal of the team. He said that every player representing the country should have the hunger to compete hard and challenge the opponent in every match.
“I want to win every match, and that’s the mentality I want to bring to everyone who represents the country and want us to challenge our opponents as well.”
India suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Ireland in the T20 series in Belfast. Ireland defended their total in both matches, winning the first game by 34 runs and the second by only one run. After the series, Gautam Gambhir and captain Shreyas Iyer are under criticism.
Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary later claimed that Shreyas Iyer was being unfairly blamed for the defeat.. He suggested that the focus had shifted away from the team’s decision makers and that others in the setup should also be held responsible for poor performance.
