Team India middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer asserted that he can not focus on things which are not under his control after a snub from the T20I series against Afghanistan. Iyer, who scored a fine half-century in the last T20I he played against Australia, failed to retain his place after the selectors decided to recall Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the T20Is.
Meanwhile, the Mumbaikar played the Ranji Trophy game for Andhra to keep himself ready for the upcoming five-match Test series. He has been picked in India’s squad for the first two matches.
Iyer asserted that he was happy doing what he was asked to do – playing Ranji Trophy as he is not losing his sleep over snub for the Afghanistan T20Is.
“See, right now I’m being in the present. I have finished the match which I was asked to play (Ranji game against Andhra). I came, and I executed, so I am happy with what I’m doing.
“Something that is not in my control, I can’t be focusing on that. Coming here and winning the match was my focus and that’s what we did today,” Iyer told reporters after Mumbai’s emphatic win.
He came under the scanners after his underwhelming show on the South Africa tour as he was instructed by selectors to go and play Ranji Trophy for Mumbai as he is a part of the Test team.
Iyer scored a run-a-ball 48 as Andhra bowlers tried to exploit his weakness against short ball.
Asked about the Test series, Iyer replied he isn’t looking that far ahead.
“It’s important to take one match at a time, not think about five-match Test series. The team is only for the first two games. The motto would be to perform in the first two games and then look forward to the rest of the games.”
Iyer, a master player of slow bowling, is expecting turners against England with first Test starting on January 25.
What Iyer found most satisfying during 145 plus overs of fielding, across two Andhra innings, was his fitness.
“I’m assuming that we would be getting turning wickets against England. But other than that, it was just for my match fitness, to stay on the field as long as possible, that’s what mainly I was focusing on because especially after my injury, it has been tough for me to stick on the outfield for long. So this was great practice for me.”
Iyer’s Test career is at the crossroads and there are no guarantees if he would be able to hold on to his place.
“It’s fun. I love competition, and when competition is there, you face more challenges. And that’s what I thrive on personally. So I enjoy having competition around because then you can go at each other and also against the opponents to show your talent and skills,” he added.
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