India captain Shreyas Iyer has called on his players to embrace fearless cricket and ignore outside criticism as the team prepares for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. Following a difficult white-ball tour of England and Ireland, the skipper believes the setbacks have provided valuable lessons and strengthened the team’s unity ahead of a fresh challenge.

The opening T20I marks another important step in India’s rebuilding phase after a disappointing run overseas. While results did not go in India’s favour, Iyer says the squad is focused on learning from the experience rather than dwelling on recent defeats.

Shreyas Iyer reflects on India’s tough England tour

India head into the Zimbabwe series after a winless campaign across England and Ireland. Despite the disappointing outcome, Iyer believes the tour highlighted several areas where the team can improve.

“We had a rough patch in England, but there were a lot of positives out of that. We got to know what we have to build as a team going forward, what kind of presence of mind, awareness and adaptability we need once we step onto the field,” Iyer said on the eve of the first T20I.

The England and Ireland tour was also Iyer’s first assignment as India’s T20I captain, allowing him to lead the side through a challenging period.

India captain wants players to ignore outside noise

Iyer made it clear that he does not want the younger players to carry the burden of criticism or worry about failure. According to the captain, playing with freedom is essential if the team wants to produce its best cricket.

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“I don’t think they should fear failure because when you have such thoughts at the back of your mind, then you play to save yourself. When you don’t have that fear, you can get the best out of yourself. We don’t have to think much about what people are saying outside. We have to stay in the present. The more we play good cricket and play together as a unit, the better it will be for the team,” Iyer said.

Quick adaptation key in Zimbabwe

For several members of the Indian squad, this is their first visit to Zimbabwe. Iyer believes adjusting to local conditions quickly will play a major role in determining the outcome of the series.

India have had very little time to prepare after travelling directly from England, with only one training session scheduled before the opening match.

Speaking about the packed schedule, Iyer said, “It is definitely very challenging. We came yesterday, today is practice and tomorrow is the match. But it is fun, and if you perform well in these situations, you will definitely be happy with yourself.”

Difficult tour has brought India closer together

Although the recent overseas campaign ended without the desired results, Iyer believes it has helped build stronger relationships within the squad. The captain revealed that the players have spent considerable time discussing how they want to develop as a team in the coming months.

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“The results didn’t go our way, but that has brought the team closer to each other. We’ve been having a lot of discussions about how we’re going to play as a unit going forward. It’s a great exposure because you don’t get this often. This is a challenging phase, and the quicker you overcome it, the better you become as a team,” Sreyas noted. 

Iyer praises Zimbabwe and backs youngsters

Iyer expects Zimbabwe to provide a strong challenge, pointing out that several members of the home squad have experience in the Indian Premier League.

“They have an amazing team and a good lineup. A couple of them have also played in the IPL, so they carry immense experience,” Sreyas praised Zimbabwe players.

The India captain also reflected on his own return from injury, saying the recovery process helped him become mentally stronger. “It has made me more confident as an individual. When you overcome the injury phase, mentally it makes you very positive. Whatever challenges you face on the field, you know how quickly you can overcome them. There can be ups and downs, but the quicker you analyse and execute what you want to do, the better it is for the team,” he said.

Iyer also expressed confidence in teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who endured a difficult start to his international career during the England tour.

“All the youngsters, I think, they have definitely practiced. There was a decent gap after the T20 series. So he (Sooryavanshi) must have rectified where he went wrong. So personally, I don’t have to give much advice,” Iyer added.

FAQs

What did Shreyas Iyer say ahead of the Zimbabwe T20I series?

Iyer urged India’s players to play fearless cricket, ignore outside criticism and focus on performing together as a team.

What did Shreyas Iyer say about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi?

Iyer said the teenage opener has had time to work on his game after the England series and believes he has learned from the experience.