IPL provides a great platform to learn: Iyer
NEW DELHI: The Delhi Daredevils fielded a new opening pair in their match against the Rajasthan Royals at the Ferozeshah Kotla; the young Shreyas Iyer walked out in the company of Mayank Agarwal at the top of the innings.
The youngster from Mumbai, who made his IPL debut in his team’s season opener against the Chennai Super Kings, scored a 30-ball
NEW DELHI: The Delhi Daredevils fielded a new opening pair in their match against the Rajasthan Royals at the Ferozeshah Kotla; the young Shreyas Iyer walked out in the company of Mayank Agarwal at the top of the innings.
The youngster from Mumbai, who made his IPL debut in his team’s season opener against the Chennai Super Kings, scored a 30-ball 40 and played perfect foil for the aggressive Agarwal. Speaking about his knock and the 45-run partnership with Agarwal, Iyer said, “He started playing his shots from the first ball. So my job was to take the singles and give him the strike. Though I hadn’t got off to a brisk start I knew that I’d be able to make up for it later on.”
After Agarwal’s departure, Iyer took over the role of upping the pace and charged forward. Speaking about changing gears, he said, “We knew that we had batsmen at the back. And even if I played two or three dot balls it would be okay because I could make up for it later with a six and four.
Having bided his team, he took on the likes of James Faulkner and Pravin Tambe as he kept the innings on course. Asked about playing aggressively against the experienced bowlers in the RR ranks, the DD batsman said, “It has been a really good experience so far playing under pressure, two close games in two outings. So that adds to your experience.”
Speaking about his batting, Iyer who has come in to the IPL on the back of a good domestic season said, “I used to play in the same way in the Ranji Trophy also. So I just go with the flow and don’t prepare any differently to change my game.”
His quick-fire knock had helped his side post a good total on the board. Yet it came to a last ball finish with the Daredevils finishing on the wrong side of the result – for the second time in two matches. When asked if they were a few runs short, Iyer said, “It was a good target, we saw that (when) the game went to the last ball. Two-three of their batsmen played really well.”
And the DD batsman admitted that lapses in field also contributed to the game slipping away from their grasp but was quick to look ahead. Speaking about the loss, he said, “I think it (poor days on the field) is part and parcel of the game. We should take it one game at a time. We should leave this game behind and think forward about the next game.”
Having played in both matches so far, Iyer feels that getting the chance to play in matches of such high intensity is a great opportunity for youngsters. Reflecting on his experience so far, he added, “The atmosphere is really good. I had never played in front of such a big crowd previously. It has been a really good experience.”
The 20-year old was glad that the IPL provided youngsters a great platform to learn from some of the game’s greats and some of the more experienced players. “It’s really good because you get to learn so much. They (seniors and coaches) have a good knowledge of the game which they share.”
So what has the advise been from coach Kirsten to the batsman? “He has told me to go and play my natural game, aggressive game. Pravin (Amre) Sir is also helping me on that front.”