Shreyas Iyer, the new Indian T20I captain, has admitted that the Indian team was ill-prepared for the Ireland series. Ireland blanked India 0-2 for the very first time in T20Is, and Iyer stated that it was depressing for the Men in Blue.
According to Iyer, India was defeated in every area and was unable to adjust to the particular circumstances in Belfast. However, the captain argued that India had learned their mistakes and were prepared to start over ahead of the five-match series because England posed a completely new challenge.
"It wasn't embarrassing, but it was depressing for us, because we definitely didn't expect Ireland to play that well. They outplayed us in every department; they had brilliant ideas about the dimensions of the ground, and we fell short in terms of analyzing and planning the ground and the dimensions and how the wicket would be played. So, kudos to them, credit to them, but we learned a lot from that series,” Shreyas said on the eve of the first T20I at Chester-le-Street, as quoted by Cricbuzz.
Shreyas added that the circumstances in England pose a completely different problem, and he was certain that India was far better prepared this time.
"No, those shortcomings are no longer there. As I mentioned earlier, a couple of us have played in England before; we know how the wickets are. Usually, we see it on TV as well. Belfast, we played after so many years. It's not a reason, but I'm just saying that turning up over there and then getting acclimatized to the wicket, to the conditions, we fell a bit short in terms of reading the outfield and getting accustomed to the conditions over there,” Iyer added.
"I feel it's completely different because the Belfast ground definitely wasn't a stadium. The outfield... wasn't even. And the dimensions also [were] a bit squarish. So, cutting the singles, cutting the doubles, especially when you're fielding in the outfield, the angles... as a captain, setting the field, it felt a bit outlandish because we're not used to it. Over here... the ground is flat, and you feel the vibe, you feel the stadium vibe, and the crowd would be intense as well. We've played in such conditions, such situations before,” he said.
Shreyas Iyer also spoke about his dry spell with the bat and stated that he was unconcerned by his own form and believes the runs will come.
"Not at all. The way I'm timing the ball in the nets, even in the previous game, I thought I was timing brilliantly, just the odd ball bounced and took an inner edge. That doesn't justify how my batting is or how much pressure I'm taking. I definitely believe in my instincts.
I know how well I play under pressure. So, I just want to keep that faith in me and go forward in the upcoming matches. I definitely believe in my instincts. I know how well I play under pressure. So, I just want to keep that faith in me and go forward in the upcoming matches,” he added.
Additionally, Shreyas downplayed the idea that England would be at a disadvantage due to the short turnaround from their most recent Test series against New Zealand.
"I certainly don't know what goes around in the England team's atmosphere. But the transition coming from a Test match and getting accustomed to a white ball—I think the majority of the players have been through that. It is not that it is a new thing for them. I am sure they will be completely fine with it,” Iyer said.
(Cricbuzz inputs)
