Shreyas Iyer has faced heavy criticism following a lackluster performance during India's trip to South Africa. The middle-order batsman struggled to find his form in the Test matches, failing to record a substantial score in four turns at bat. This slump was followed by his omission from the T20I series against Afghanistan, which led to widespread speculation about disciplinary issues behind the scenes. However, Rahul Dravid, the head coach, clarified that there was no such trouble and that the selection was simply based on the strength of other available players.
Shreyas Iyer has been scrutinized since India’s Tour of South Africa concluded. The middle-order batter struggled in the Test series and failed to hit a single big score in four innings. After that, he was not selected for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, with conjecture that the reason was a disciplinary issue. However, Indian cricket team head coach Rahul Dravid emphasized that this was not the case, and he was not selected since other hitters were in contention.
Now, the 29-year-old is bracing for intense scrutiny in the upcoming five-Test series against England. As a warm-up for the red-ball format, Iyer led Mumbai to a commanding 10-wicket win against Andhra Pradesh in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group B clash. He described the experience as positive, noting that while he didn't have massive expectations for his individual performance, his main goal was to establish a steady rhythm. Iyer highlighted that the sheer intensity and the physical endurance required to stay active for 90 overs provided the perfect foundation for his return.
Iyer emphasized the importance of staying present and focusing on one match at a time rather than worrying about the future. He acknowledged that while the mental stress of Test cricket can be overwhelming, the ability to navigate those high-pressure moments is what defines the format—essentially the trade-off of playing the longest version of the game.
Closing his thoughts, Iyer mentioned that he doesn't spend time analyzing the opposition's strategy or mindset. Instead, he believes the key to success is sticking to the team's internal game plan and trusting their own strengths rather than getting distracted by the opponent.