Right-hand batsman Shreyas Iyer is trying to deal with form, rejection and pain through wisdom of acceptance and perspective by relating his emotions to that of a footballer, where he says that even some of its better players fail to make it to the FIFA World Cup despite excelling for their clubs. 

"It’s not just cricket but even football and other sports, if you see, there also we find breakdowns (heartbreaks)," Iyer was quoted saying on Saturday, October 27, "You can find a lot of top footballers not being selected for World Cup despite performing for their clubs. All these small, small things matter and helped me focus on what I am doing at the present."

There is inner believe and a lot of it, but, perhaps, this realisation and deeper understanding of things have helped him focus on the present.

Having played a brilliant knock of 148 for India B against India C in Deodhar Trophy final, Iyer, who has played 6 ODIs and 6 T20Is so far for India, further said, “I have realised that it’s not only me but there are a lot of other players also who are not being selected. So I can see their frustration as well at the same time and I think it’s just part and parcel of every sportsman’s life. They all go through it.”  

Iyer was subsequently picked for the T20I series in Australia but he says that having been overlooked before, despite a string of good scores is something that still plays in his mind and hence, he is determined to make the opportunity count whenever he gets it. 

“I have been playing matches continuously. So I just go match by match as selection is not in my hands. My job is to keep scoring runs and I am lately focussing on that only," he stressed, "Earlier, selection matters used to really play on my mind. Now I have just forgotten those things and focus on things that are necessary,”

“To be honest, I didn’t react when I got selected(later in the day). I was focussing on the match as it was really important for me going forward. Deodhar Trophy is the tournament where all performers in Vijay Hazare and Ranji Trophy are playing," he added, “If you play a good knock over here, you are recognised and selectors have eyes on you and I am in the scheme of things. On and off it doesn’t really matter as you play cricket for passion,” and signed off. 

(Inputs from PTI)