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With a potential return to international action on the cards, Iyer may just be reunited with his captain Rohit Sharma, with whom he shares a close bond.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill (Reuters)
With great power comes great responsibility. Shreyas Iyer expounded on Indian skipper Rohit Sharma’s unimitable leadership, which has enabled others around him, including Iyer himself, to grow into their best versions.
Iyer, who has been away from the spotlight with India, has worked patiently to show his worth and win his place back into the Indian squad, as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy nears.
With a potential return to international action on the cards, Iyer may just be reunited with his captain Rohit Sharma, with whom he shares a close bond.
“Playing with Rohit bhai has been amazing. We’ve built a great camaraderie over the years, and he’s always approachable and fun off the field,” said Iyer.
“As a captain, his calmness under pressure stands out, and he gives players the freedom to express themselves. I admire how grounded he stays through highs and lows and how well he reads the game.”
“I’ve learned a lot from him, especially how he keeps things light while handling pressure.”
Having been dropped from the Test side in Feb 2024, Iyer has taken his game to another level since then, recently ending his century-drought with a crucial 142-run knock against Maharashtra in the Ranji Trophy, as the Mumbai batter continues to be a regular face in the domestic red-ball matches, having played in the Duleep Trophy, Irani Cup and the ongoing Ranji Trophy.
The road to Down Under is a long ways away, but one that Iyer understands.
The cut-throat competition to make the Test squad might be high, but if the opportunity comes his way, he is well-prepared to grab it with both hands.
“Playing in Australia, especially in a Border-Gavaskar series, is one of the biggest challenges in cricket. The conditions, the rivalry, and the intensity demand everything from you, and these are the moments you want to be part of as a cricketer. I’m preparing myself to grab that opportunity and leave a mark,” Iyer remarked.
