NEWS
Follow UsThe last one month hasn’t been great for Shreyas Iyer. The 29-year-old was dropped from the Test set-up, and then wasn’t offered a central contract for skipping the Ranji Trophy.
Iyer played the semi-final and final for Mumbai but injured his back while batting in the third innings against Vidarbha. He didn’t come out to field in the final innings of the final and there were question marks over his availability for the first week of the IPL 2024.
The KKR skipper, however, seems to be “in the best shape possible” and is ready for the first match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens on March 23 (Saturday).
“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,” said Iyer.
"So, I want to put all these things aside and focus on what's there for me on the plate. I have ticked the boxes in every way possible so I am in high spirits.
"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."
So, is Iyer ready for the tournament? "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."
Iyer has received a lot of criticism of late but the batter doesn’t want to focus on the outside noise and instead is looking forward to winning the cup for KKR.
"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,” said Iyer.
"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."
Talking about Gautam Gambhir returning to KKR as a mentor, Iyer said: “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.”
Kolkata struggled in the pace department last season but they got Mitchell Starc in the auction for a whopping 24.75 crore. "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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