“No One Is Going To Help You”: Shreyas Iyer’s Honest Confession After Heroic Performance Against New Zealand

Shreyas Iyer might not have been one of the first names on the team sheet when India’s Champions Trophy squad was finalized, but he has since proven himself to be the most reliable No. 4 batter for the team. Initially, he was set to be left out for the first ODI against England before the Champions Trophy began. However, he delivered some outstanding performances in the tournament, reaffirming his credentials in the 50-over format. After a match-winning 79 against New Zealand on Sunday, Iyer acknowledged that the past year and a half have been a period of personal growth that he is now fully utilizing.

Iyer’s situation was unusual within the Indian team, despite his consistent performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Reports had suggested that he wasn’t a guaranteed pick for the Champions Trophy playing XI. However, the batter fought back and secured his spot in the middle order.

After the match against New Zealand, Iyer admitted that he believes it’s his own responsibility to fight for himself rather than relying on others. For him, it’s always “you versus you,” as no one else is going to rescue him in tough times.

“It has definitely taught me a lot as a person and as an individual about how to take responsibility for myself rather than depending on someone else. Over time, I’ve realized that it’s only you versus you. No one is going to be there to help you in your tough times, except for a few close people you know very well. So, I’ve been backing myself and showing that confidence in every situation I face. I always trust my instincts,” Iyer told the broadcaster after the match on Sunday.

“I keep saying that, and I think that’s what has helped me in the last 1.5 years. The technique I’ve developed has also played a part. We’ve had some detailed discussions about it. But more than anything, it’s about staying in the present as much as possible and not dwelling on past thoughts,” he added.

Iyer also spoke about his partnership with Axar Patel, which helped stabilize the Indian innings after the top three batters were dismissed early.

“Yes, the ball was coming a bit slower onto the bat initially, and it was crucial for the team to build a partnership from there. Axar played a brilliant knock, scoring those crucial 40 runs for the team. We almost had a 100-run partnership, which was essential at that point. The mindset was to keep the scoreboard ticking and find boundaries here and there to shift the momentum in our favor,” said Iyer.