India T20I captain Shreyas Iyer said that the advice he received from experienced players Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav has helped him prepare for the captaincy. After India's disappointing series defeat to Ireland, Iyer said that their guidance has given him confidence before taking charge of the team.
The Men in Blue will begin the five-match T20I series against England on July 1 at Chester-le-Street. Notably, the remaining matches will be played in Manchester (July 4), Nottingham (July 7), Bristol (July 9), and Southampton (July 11). The visitors will be looking to bounce back after a 2-0 series loss to Ireland.
It's Always Been Easy to Interact With Him - Shreyas Iyer on Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav
In a video shared on the BCCI website, Shreyas Iyer said that Rohit Sharma has always been easy to approach and has supported him since his domestic cricket days. Iyer also revealed that Suryakumar Yadav shared useful inputs about the team and management before the Ireland series.
"Interacting with Rohit Sharma, it's like you're just having a chat with your brother. He's that sort of a figure who has also helped me in my domestic career. So, it's always been easy to interact with him, and Surya is again a similar character."
"I've played with him a lot of domestic cricket, and just before coming here, he gave me inputs about how the management is going to be and how the players are going to be in this certain situation. So, yes, definitely decent interaction and a lot to learn at the same time," Shreyas Iyer said.
They Don't Fall Short of Entertaining the Crowd - Shreyas Iyer Praises India's Young Batters
The Indian T20I skipper praised the fearless approach of India's young batters and said they have changed the way T20 cricket is played. He added that fans enjoy watching aggressive stroke play, and the new generation has the confidence to take on any bowling attack from the start.
"The way these guys come in and play the strokes is just pleasing to the eye. I think it's evolved tremendously. Majority of the crowd that you see nowadays, they come to see such fearless cricketers. They don't fall short of entertaining the crowd."
It Is Definitely More Challenging - Shreyas Iyer on International Cricket
Iyer said that international cricket is a different challenge compared to the IPL. He believes tours like England will help young players improve as they face stronger bowling attacks, tougher conditions, and greater pressure. He added that every series at this level offers an important learning experience.
"It is a great platform for them as well to experience the international cricket where the cricket is not similar to how we play in the IPL, but it is definitely more challenging, more eyes on you and the set of bowlers that we play. More professional than what we experience in the IPL, so I'm sure there's a learning curve over there as well."
India will begin the five-match T20I series against England after a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Ireland. The tour will be an important opportunity for Iyer's side to bounce back.
