Shreyas Iyer believes talk and debate around the No.4 position in the Indian ODI batting line-up can be "irritating" at times.
Iyer has done really well since his comeback to the side post the end of the last year's World Cup in UK, making the No.4 position his own via performances on tours to West Indies, New Zealand either side of the home season where India again faced West Indies and Australia.
Read Also: MSK Prasad gives update on Hardik, Bhuvneshwar, Dhawan before ODI series
But for the Mumbai right-hander, it's about adjusting yourself as per the situation and team requirements, being willing to do any job skipper Virat Kohli and head coach Ravi Shastri ask him to do.
"Oh, it really gets to me (the debate on No.4) ... to the extent that sometimes the debate itself begins to get irritating. It's not like I'm the only batsman who can bat at No.4," Iyer told Times of India. "Flexibility, versatility, these are actual terms that one needs to apply right? Not just fancy words to read about and forget."
"Growing up as a cricketer, I've batted in almost every position between the top and the middle-order. Tomorrow, if I'm asked to bat at No. 5, that's what you'll find me doing. If I'm asked to walk out there and open, that'll be my responsibility. The middle-order should be the talking point. Not just No. 4."
"Yes, I do feel comfortable now batting at No. 4. I've done that for a while now and it's beginning to feel like it's the space where I belong - so why not? But let me reiterate this: If you're going to play at the highest level, it's about what the team wants and the concerns that need to be addressed at that given moment in time."
Iyer will be hoping to continue the good work during the home series against South Africa. The Proteas arrive here for a three-match ODI series, beginning March 12 in Dharamshala.
"It's one step at a time. The first thing on mind is the series against South Africa," he said. "The recent series in New Zealand, especially the T20 series, was a fulfilling one. There's a lot of cricket, so let's take it innings by innings, series by series."
The 25-year-old also aspires to play Test cricket for the country in future.
"I've grown up playing red-ball cricket. Once that is imbibed in you as a cricketer, it is never going to go away. No cricketer, who has spent a good amount of time playing red-ball cricket will ever quit aspiring to play Test cricket," he said.
"It's a different feeling. It may sound like a cliche, but playing Test cricket is a dream and I hope it comes true soon."
"Don't think it's just me who thinks that way. Anybody who aspires to play the game at the highest level will always aspire to play Test cricket. Then it's all about how capable you are," Iyer added.
(Inputs from TOI)
