The batsman took time out to have a long talk with TOI.
Part:
Back in great form, back as IPL captain. Great start to the year?
I wouldn’t say the best start, but yes, a good start.
why not great
At the beginning of the year when we were in South Africa I had a very bad stomach infection. I lost seven kilos there. Basically, whatever I was eating, it was coming out. It was one of the worst periods of my life.
now after Sri Lanka series, do you see yourself coming back to that (New Zealand series) area again?
Yes, it was great. The start I got was really amazing. I told myself that I am going to play with complete freedom because now there is so much depth in our batting order that it gives us more freedom to go and express ourselves. Even if we are a few runs down, the intention has to be very positive.
You are looking good at number 3. Confidence has increased a lot…
Well, this is a position where you can express yourself in the best possible way. But other than that, I’m really enjoying myself right now and feeling good about my batting and recovering completely.
What do you do when inexplicable sounds are heard around you – look, his legs don’t move; Look, he suspects a short ball?
I fully respect his personal opinion. It is their job to say whatever they see.
You had an exceptional session with Delhi as captain. Then you had to let it go and now you’ll be leading a team again. What kind of lesson does it give you, to come back and reclaim your position?
I certainly had an amazing flow when I was in Delhi. When I took over, things were going very well. I was always thinking from the captaincy point of view. How do I get my team to win, and how do I contribute in some way to see it, that maybe we reach a certain position that we haven’t before. So, when you start thinking like a captain, you obviously change your body language, your perception of yourself on the field fundamentally. So that thing really helped me. And from there it was just about building the team and taking them forward. And again, getting this chance to play for KKR And the faith he showed in me to be a captain and lead his franchise, I really appreciate it. It is a great honor for me to lead him.
What was the big low between an injury and a losing captaincy?
Injury. He was a big little. Had it not been so, they would not have left me as the captain. Feather Delhi Capitals, You saw the reflection of the environment in early 2021, which we built in 2019 and 20. The atmosphere was wonderful. The players knew each other inside out, their strengths and weaknesses. I don’t want to go deep into it.
The timing of the injury was bad, but these are exactly the kinds of things one can’t control. your thoughts?
Sometimes things just happen for the better. It’s just that we get to know about it later. I was in the right position in New Zealand and started feeling really confident in myself and my batting. As captain, I was having a great season in the IPL and I scored around 500 runs. I was in a good mental state and then that injury started playing in my mind.
Forced breaks are never easy because you have to start all over again. Injuries and rehabilitation are painful. But I must say, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The injury had made me feel like I was 50% of the player I am otherwise. After a complete recovery, I am back refreshed and feeling better. So whatever happens happens for good.
How did you do that?
My environment is very nice. At that time my parents and friends inspired me a lot. He really helped me take my focus out of that zone. So, whenever I felt stressed, I would go and talk to my family, and I never interacted with them as much as I have during that break. It was a great time for me to completely break away from my cricket and have a good time with him. And friends were such amazing help. It was a nice place to be in and it took my mind off the hurt completely.
What has rehab taught you?
Patience. I think after a while, you feel like you are just giving up because you keep repeating the same routine. You have to do the same exercise, and that part is very annoying. When you wake up the next morning you feel the same pain. You just keep thinking about it all the time, and it can be very tiring. After surgery, strength also decreases, and there is loss of muscle mass. You get into that zone when you start to think and judge yourself whether you will come back with the same intention and flow. You need to work really hard to get your brain out of that zone, every time it threatens to eat you up.
(Photo Credits: Shreyas Iyer Twitter)
Are you saying that your ability to distract is the most integral part of focusing?
Look, I can’t distract myself from cricket for long. When I start to get away from it, I can enjoy just like a few days. But after that suddenly I start thinking about cricket again. It’s something that doesn’t let me sleep. I still dream about it when I go to sleep. So, when I’m trying to get away from cricket, I have a good ten days max. And then after that, I’m back in the cricket field. That’s why ‘full stops’ are rare indeed.
There are so many great professionals around you…
Definitely. Praveen Amre Sir helped me a lot to come back strong after my injury. Rajinikanth (Strength and Conditioning Coach) is the best trainer. He knows my body and what really suits me in terms of strength and explosiveness. What the current athletes need when you play all three formats – he knows from the inside out. I give them a lot of credit. He really helped me come out of the injury as soon as possible. In addition, some individuals of NCA helped me.
Have you gone to a stage where you understand, this is what I need to hear or ignore?
Yes, I am in that place because you cannot reach this level without facing all these things. There will be noise, no matter what you do in your life. You can achieve greatness, or you can become a tireless athlete. But you will continue to hear those noises. For me, it really doesn’t matter. Within, I know what I am and what I am capable of. At the end of the day, the thing is they are thinking and talking about me. It’s a good thing.
T20 excellence requires a certain state of ‘madness’. You see this team with all that ‘madness’?
We have a powerful team right now. That madness is because if you look at the players sitting outside, they are as talented as those in the eleven. They have the ability to come and perform in any situation at any time. I think there is madness growing in us and it is starting to show.
The level is just too advanced. https://t.co/8QSEqGPMTU
— Shreyas Iyer (@shreyas Iyer15) 1646035488000
Is this the same mentality you were in New Zealand?
Yes, just like New Zealand. The only difference is, at that time, I knew exactly my role, what position I would play and what I wanted. Currently, what we are seeing is extreme resilience. You can be cast in different roles, and you need to give. This team is getting into the same mindset.
One trend in T20s that you see catching on and something that you see players need to work on?
Intention. For each ball you need to think about scoring. As a batsman, I think if you play dot ball then it is a crime. It weighs heavily on the batsman. when you said about it West Indies Teams, with such a line-up that everyone comes and smashes with the first ball, you really need to set a great total on the board.
How will you keep your exam aspirations ahead?
It’s really important that I stay in the present. When you start thinking too much, you are in a position to ask questions. Is there a lot going on around me? do i need a break? What if I don’t perform? All these thoughts start coming in the mind and routines and processes start getting affected. It’s the routines and procedures that have really helped me get here. So, there is no point in thinking, just try to follow the procedures every day and take things as they come.
You had a dream start to your Test debut. Although even after that you had to sit out in the next series…
Surely it was the beginning of a dream – a wonderful feeling. I completely understand (when asked to sit in the next series) that from a team point of view, they wanted to play a senior player in the mix. We were in South Africa, and they wanted someone experienced enough to play in those conditions. So I had to sit outside. But as I said earlier, I would have got a chance in the second Test, but unfortunately, I got this infection which turned out to be really bad.
(BCCI photo)
What do you think about Rohit SharmaCaptain?
that is wonderful. He thinks from the player’s point of view. He has that mindset where he connects with everyone and knows what he needs from the support staff and coaches. I really respect him a lot. Obviously, we’ve played together a lot at the domestic level and I know how he thinks. So, it is a good place to be around.
What is it as a batsman that bowlers have picked up that is making your life difficult in T20s?
From a bowler’s perspective, I think the spinners are taking more initiative right now than the fast bowlers. If you look at the middle leg from 7-14, things are really controlled by the spinners. He knows how to bowl today. They mostly go along a flatter trajectory, with nothing above eye level. He has become really smart in terms of reading the batsman. even if you see Roston Chase From West Indies, he used to blow the ball first. Now, he uses that flatter trajectory, which makes it difficult for the batsman to hit him. The trend is changing now.
Is there anything more important than two World Cups and how do you prioritize it?
Yes of course, all we are doing right now is preparing for the World Cup. Basically, our mindset and everything revolves around it. So whatever we are doing on the field is completely dedicated to the World Cup. Training, work ethic and everything has improved. This has been focused on. The World Cup is going to be our main objective, even for me to regain my seven kilos, which I have lost, it has been a real struggle. But it did improve my mindset. It has taught me a lot that you should keep yourself fit and whatever you eat is healthy, and you cannot take anything lightly.
After rehab, when did you start to realize that you were returning to your place – with the bat, of course?
This is the strength I am feeling. I mean, when I was in South Africa and I faced the situation, I was not feeling strong at all. Personally, I felt that I would not be able to clear even thirty yards. And now I feel even a wrong shot can land in the stands. So, I’m in that kind of mindset.
One aspect of your game that you are working on consciously…
My fitness has always been my biggest priority. But it is mental fitness that is a big priority. When you’re part of a team for a long time, a lot of things happen – you’re in poor form, battling niggles and injuries, teams going through chops and changes. If you need to survive at this level, you need to be very strong mentally. The mental aspect plays a very important role. I have realized that reading books has helped me, I am very happy.
What have you been reading lately?
I just finished Rentless for the second time. Now, I have picked up this book Winning by Tim Grover.
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