IPL 2024: Shreyas Iyer Not Thinking About Injury, Asserts He is in 'Best Shape Possible'

Shreyas Iyer has not been having the best of times on and off the field in the recent past. From being not named in the BCCI central contracts list to not taking the field in the Ranji Trophy final with a bad back.

Come the first game as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain takes the field against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday, Shreyas wants to think positively.

“I don’t want to think about what the doctor has said, what the injury was because when you over-think, put your focus on the injury, and in that moment, forget about what you’re doing the best,” Iyer said at the pre-match press conference.

“So, I want to put all these things aside and focus on what’s there for me on the plate,” he added.

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Ticked the Boxes

Shreyas Iyer said that he is working hard not only on his physical fitness but also on his mental strength: “I have ticked the boxes in every way possible so I am in high spirits. 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.”

“If you dwell too much either on past or future, I personally feel that you make a lot of mistakes. 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,” he added.

The 29-year-old revealed that he has been working hard in preparation for a crucial season for him personally, with the T20 World Cup up next.

“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,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to winning the IPL. If you would ask any captain, they would have the same mentality. And that’s why you have to be in the present as much as possible,” he added.

Know Gautam Gambhir’s Mindset

Iyer will be reuniting with the returning Gautam Gambhir, who is KKR’s two-time IPL winning captain but the side have not managed to get their hands on the title since 2014.

“He brings a lot of inputs. Strategically strong, having won two IPLs. Knows a lot about the venue and the opposition teams. Chandu sir (Chandrakant Pandit) and Gautam sir give a lot of inputs. When I talk to them in practice, I get a lot of inputs,” Shreyas said.

“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. So, I am basically honoured to be playing under him and it gives a lot of pleasure for other players as well in the team to go and express themselves with freedom,” he added.