Looking forward to an intense series – Shreyas Iyer on England T20I challenge

India suffered a major setback against Ireland as they were drubbed 2-0 in the recently concluded T20I series. However, the Men in Blue have an opportunity to bounce back as they will be locking horns with England in the first T20I in Chester-le-Street.

Ahead of the series opener against England, Indian captain, Shreyas Iyer opened up on the transition from the Ireland series and how the challenge against the Three Lions is another new opportunity for the Men in Blue. Iyer shed light on the head space of the side while also highlighting the conditions in England.

Explaining the mindset of the team at the pre-match presser, Iyer said, “The last series didn’t go as we planned but for this series, everyone is in good mind space and we are definitely looking forward to having intense games. The calmer we are in pressure situations, the more beneficial it will be for us.”

Highlighting the transition of the team from the Irish series to the England tour, Iyer added, “Ireland outplayed us in every department. They had brilliant ideas about the dimension of the ground. We fell short in terms of analysing and planning – the ground, the dimension and how the wicket will be playing. Credit to them but we learnt a lot from that series. This is a completely new chapter for us coming in here. A couple of us have played in England before and we know the conditions and we know the ideas. We know the dimensions here. So looking forward to an intense and challenging series.”

Underlining the difference between the conditions in Belfast and England, Iyer stated, “I feel it’s completely different. The Belfast ground definitely wasn’t a stadium. The outfield had a slope and it wasn’t even. The dimensions also a bit squarish. Cutting the singles and the doubles, creating the angles, also as a captain, for me setting the field, it felt a bit outlandish.”

He further added, “We were not used to it. We were playing in the IPL. All the grounds were perfectly even from all directions. So that was a bit challenging. Over here in England, the dimensions are pretty much similar. The ground is pretty flat. You feel the stadium vibe. The crowd would be intense as well. We have played in such conditions and such situations.”