"People who haven't faced 150kmph delivery...": Shreyas Iyer labels short-ball critics 'irritating'

Shreyas Iyer has finally managed to retain his place in the India National Cricket Team on the back of his strong performances in domestic cricket. Iyer was dropped from the Indian team and even removed from the BCCI’s central contract following his initial denial to play domestic matches.

However, after the warning from the BCCI and Indian selectors, the middle-order batter turned up for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25, followed by the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25 and the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, and reclaimed his place in India’s ODI team.

It’s irritating: Shreyas Iyer on short ball criticism after reclaiming India spot

Shreyas Iyer was recently named in India’s ODI squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England at home as well as for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Ahead of his much-awaited India return, the Mumbai batter reflected on several aspects of his game.

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Well, Shreyas Iyer has dismissed the constant chatter about his weakness against short-pitched deliveries, saying he can’t take advice from someone who has never faced thunderbolts at 150 km/h. He also labeled the chatter as just irritating.

Shreyas Iyer was quoted as saying by the Indian Express: “It’s irritating, especially when it comes from people who haven’t faced 150 km per hour delivery, advising you to play in a particular way. But I would say it is their opinion. They have all the right to talk, but they can talk between themselves, not to the player directly.”

Shreyas Iyer reflects on his "game-changing" knock at the 2023 ODI World Cup

Meanwhile, the 30-year-old also reflected on his extraordinary campaign during the ODI World Cup 2023, where he amassed 530 runs in 11 innings. His stellar performances included two centuries and three fifties, but his brilliant knock of 82 runs against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium was his favorite. Iyer said that it was a "game-changing" knock for him.

Speaking about his favorite innings at the 2023 ODI World Cup, the Indian batter explained: “The 82 against Sri Lanka. Because there was a lot of talk about dropping me from the squad and that I’m not providing much for the team. Even though I had scored a 50 against Pakistan, there was some talk that put me in a helter-skelter situation.”

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He continued, “That kind of talk boosted my instincts from within. I wanted to just give my 110 percent. And in that game, I decided that I would just back my instincts and go full throttle. No looking back. I’m impressed by the way I played in that game. I became my own fan after that. It was a game-changing innings, especially in the World Cup.”

Shreyas Iyer shares his batting approach as he gears up for India comeback

Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer also shared his approach to tackling different conditions. He emphasized the need to adapt to the situation and condition. The Mumbai batter further explained how variable bounce on some pitches requires adjustments in stance and trigger movements, rather than grip.

Furthermore, Iyer revealed that he practices these adjustments both on the field and during shadow practice in his room. The Indian middle-order batter also added that he always focuses on preparing specific plans for different types of wickets to make sure that he has a clear mindset before going out to bat.

However, Iyer said that every plan may not always work, but he always steps into the field with a clear strategy in mind. He will be seen in action for the Men in Blue in the upcoming ODI series against England next month.