India batter Shreyas Iyer on Friday (December 23) said the constant chatter about his apparent weakness against short deliveries used to affect him at one point in time but he doesn’t pay heed to outside comments anymore.

Iyer’s comment came after his knock of 87 in India’s first innings in the ongoing second Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka.

During his innings, the right-hander was targeted by the Bangladeshi bowlers with short balls but he countered it brilliantly this time around.

Speaking after the second day’s play, Shreyas said he was confident of doing well against this ploy, having taken corrective measures in the nets.

“The (Bangladesh) bowlers started targeting me (with short balls) when I came to bat. When the ball was seaming, they were bowling short balls,” Iyer said at the press conference.

Shreyas Iyer had also played a vital knock of 86 in India’s 188-run victory over Bangladesh in the opening Test in Chattogram.

When asked about the outside noise over his weakness against short balls, Iyer said, “That (short ball issue) has been something the commentators talk about. Off the field, people keep saying that I have that issue. It had gone into my head at some point in time. But if I leave (the ball) or keep it down, I don’t have any problem. Runs were not coming (against short balls), that was the situation.”

“It does play in the mind of a batter when people from outside talk about issues and it’s important as a player to turn a deaf ear to them. The rest will take care of itself. At the end of the day, ignorance is bliss,” he added.

Talking about his approach, Iyer said he batted in the same manner he had played in the series opener.

 “When I went in to bat, the ball was not turning that much and that was the communication I had with Rishabh. I was just trying to play the line of the ball, very much similar to how I played in Chattogram.

“The fast bowlers were operating from one end and my mindset was to just play the session out and see how it goes. Obviously, at the same time, I’m not going to restrict my strokes, if I see the ball pitching in my area, I’m going to go for it. I backed myself today and thankfully got a good score.”

Reflecting on his dismissal while playing a sweep shot, the middle-order batter said he went with his natural instincts.

“Today, I went with my instincts. Sweep shot was something I have been trying in the nets. I could execute the first one well, but the second one stayed a bit low.

“But I don’t regret (getting out) because I was doing a lot of practice (for sweep shots) and my natural instinct took over in that situation and I played that shot.

“I could not execute well but it does not matter, next time it will come good. My decision-making was decisive.”

Asked if he was disappointed at missing out on a century, Iyer said, “Definitely, it hurts as a batsman but at the same time I looked at it in a positive way. I went there in a tough situation and was able to bring the team out of it. That is more important for me than getting personal landmark.”

(With PTI inputs)