India batsman Shreyas Iyer stated that it might be upsetting for any player who believes he should be in the starting lineup but is left out, but he also noted that one must always strive morally for the benefit of the team no matter what.
Iyer stated that although every player must always improve, regardless of the circumstances, one must also encourage those who have been chosen if they are giving it their all and playing regularly for the squad.
Later this month, the 30-year-old Iyer, who was left out of India’s 15-man Asia Cup squad, will captain India A in two unofficial four-day Test matches against Australia A.
“It is only frustrating when you know that you deserve to be in the team, in the playing XI. That time, it is frustrating,” Iyer said in a iQOO podcast.
“But at the same time, when you know that someone is performing and playing consistently for the team and bringing (out) their best, you support them. Eventually, the goal is for the team to win and when the team is winning, everyone is happy,” he said.
“But as I keep talking about integrity, if you don’t get a chance, you have to see to it that you do your work ethically. It’s not like you have to perform only when someone is watching.” “Even when no one is watching, you have to keep doing your work. That’s integrity,” Iyer added.
As a member of the Indian team that won the Champions Trophy, the last ICC event, earlier this year, Iyer said it was the greatest sensation he had ever feeling on the cricket field.
“Winning the ICC Champions Trophy for India was the best feeling ever,” he said.
According to Iyer, preparation is crucial for any cricketer since it eliminates the chance of long-term failures, which he has personally experienced.
“As we keep saying, you have to trust your preparations. When you prepare yourself in a certain manner, whatever happens on the ground is just a reflection of what you do off the field,” he said.
“You cross the t’s, dot the i’s, (if) your preparation is on point then everything is just a reflection.” “It (failure) can happen only once or twice, not more than that. If your prep is good (and) if you don’t perform in one or two games, (in the) third game you are definitely going to perform. That I have experienced,” he added.
