Talented batter Shreyas Iyer is all set to embark on a journey with KKR following turmoil in his cricketing career. Dropped from the BCCI’s central contracts following a mixed opinion over a reported recurrence of a back niggle from the time he last played for India — in the Visakhapatnam Test last month to this time, Iyer’s future looked uncertain as well. But he is ready to play in the IPL 2024.
“If you dwell too much either on past or future, I personally feel that you make a lot of mistakes,” said Iyer ahead of Kolkata Knight Riders’ first match against Sunrisers Hyderabad here. “So, that’s what I’ve learned over a period of time, that whatever is in your hand, you have to make the best use of it. The decision-making outside of it is not in your hand, and the more you dwell on that, the more mistakes you would be indulging in. So, I just want to keep doing my work and see to it that I do it right. And if I even do it wrong, I want to learn from it and see to it that I don’t repeat it again.”
However, last year in his absence, Nitish Rana led KKR but they failed to do well. This time, they brought a few changes with Gautam Gambhir joining as mentor, and they bought Mitchell Starc for a whopping ₹24.75 crore. And, they hope to do well this time.
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“He brings a lot of input. Strategically strong, having won two IPLs. Knows a lot about the venue and the opposition teams. I have worked with him previously in a different franchise (Delhi) and I know what his mindset is. He is a fearless guy and he gives you a lot of freedom as a captain and also as a player,” Shreyas Iyer again shared.
“I have ticked the boxes in every way possible so I am in high spirits. I’ve been doing my training regularly, I’ve been hitting the balls, and I’ve been batting for longer periods of time. So, that is something I’m thriving on. Right now, if I look at myself, I feel that I’m in the best shape possible. I played so many years in the IPL so it’s not that I am completely distant from it. Personally, my preparation has been top-notch.”
However, this IPL season is going to be important for him considering the upcoming T20 World Cup soon after the cash-rich league.
“I don’t want to think about what the doctor has said, what the injury was because, as I mentioned previously, when you overthink, put your focus on the injury, and in that moment, forget about what you’re doing the best,” said Iyer. “So, I want to put all these things aside and focus on what’s there for me on the plate,” Shreyas Iyer concluded.
