Indian captain Shreyas Iyer has insisted that he is ready to accept the challenge of leading the country’s T20I team, saying that he always believed that the opportunity would come after his consistent performances in the IPL and for this country. Iyer, who was named as India’s new T20I captain in place of Suryakumar Yadavendured a difficult start to his tenure as India lost 2-0 to Ireland in Belfast. However, ahead of the five-match T20I against England, the batsmen are focused on their experience and rebuilding the team. “Honestly, it’s not surprising. I was hoping for another time. I’ve done very well in previous IPL tournaments, every time I’ve represented the country. So, it didn’t surprise me. But, at the same time, I feel it’s a good opportunity for me to learn from everyone who has been part of the World Cup T20 winning team, the team managers, the assistants and the few people who have played there,” Iyer told BCCI.TV. The 31-year-old admitted that being India’s manager is the fulfillment of a childhood dream and described the role as one of the proudest moments of his career. “When you’re a kid, you dream of playing for the Indian team. Now, you get the chance to lead the Indian team. I think that’s the icing on the cake. It means the world,” he said. Reflecting on the journey that led him to leadership, Iyer thanked those around him while acknowledging the hard work that went into his journey. “It’s really the result of the hard work you’ve put in and the support you’ve received from fans, family and friends. It’s hard to express feelings in words. “ Iyer also outlined the kind of aggressive cricket he wants his team to play, saying he hopes to bring a fearless attitude that puts the opposition under pressure from the moment India steps on the field. “I just like to scare the opposition. I want to have a scary, fearless approach when I step on the field. I want my soldiers to agree with the idea that the opposition is afraid of our personality and our appearance on the field. It’s like a war for me when I step on the field. I want to win every match and that’s the attitude I want to have in everyone. “Unyielding, aggressive and determined. There is no pressure, but at the same time, it will be difficult. All I want to do is accept the difficulties. I want it to be difficult, because I am better under difficulties,” he said. Speaking of the great teacher Gautam GambhirIn a message to the team, Iyer revealed that the team sees this session as the beginning of a new chapter despite India’s recent victory in the T20 World Cup. “Gauti bhai mentioned in one of his interviews that we were world champions. This is a new chapter that starts with me as the team leader and we are starting from zero.” The captain also reflected on India’s disappointing tour of Ireland, admitting that the result was not as expected, but insisted that the series provided valuable lessons, especially for the players who were coming into contact with the English and Irish for the first time. “Of course, not the start we wanted, but a lot to learn coming into new situations. A lot of players who are playing for the first time in England and Ireland too, so it’s a learning curve for them too. Also we have to create a relationship where everyone starts to support and trust each other.” India’s batting struggled throughout the Ireland series, and the top order did not provide strong starts in any of the matches. However, the bowling attack showed encouraging signs, especially through Prince Yadav, Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh. With England presenting a tough challenge, Iyer will now look to register his first win as India’s T20I captain while employing a fearless form of cricket that he believes can take him further.
