Having shared a dressing room across various phases and roles throughout their careers, Shreyas Iyer feels he has a deep grasp of how Gautam Gambhir operates. With Gambhir now serving as head coach of the national side, Iyer is confident that their established rapport will be a major asset as they collaborate to steer the team forward.
Someone who is always looking to win: Iyer on Gambhir's coaching approach
Addressing the media ahead of the T20I opener against Afghanistan in New Delhi, the Indian captain praised Gambhir’s competitive edge, pointing to his attacking philosophy and absolute commitment to victory whenever he steps onto the field.
Beyond a fierce winning drive, Iyer emphasised that the former international opener excels at man-management. By fostering trust within the squad and offering every cricketer clear, unambiguous expectations regarding their responsibilities, Gambhir ensures the team operates with total conviction.
“I think he’s got a very aggressive mindset. He is someone who is always looking to win when he steps onto the field,” Iyer said at the pre-match presser.
“He builds a lot of trust and confidence within the team, and every player knows what their role is and has clarity about it. He has an amazing one-on-one player management approach. That is essential going forward in the tournament when you have that kind of relationship with every player, because all of us are different in our own ways and you need to understand each player,” he added.
Addressing how fitness issues alter team dynamics, the Indian captain maintained that squad depth ensures seamless transitions when setbacks occur. He emphasized that every player in the squad possesses the quality to step up and deliver impact performances whenever called upon, keeping the side's overall strategy intact.
Discussing Jasprit Bumrah’s comeback from injury, Iyer highlighted the pacer's sharp focus and hunger for success. Following a recent conversation between the two, the skipper noted that the star fast bowler is mentally locked in, driven to regain match sharpness and lead India's pursuit of major titles.
Iyer maintains suspense on India's opening conundrum
The conversation then turned to the selection dilemma at the top of the order involving Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson, and Abhishek Sharma. Framing the choice as a strength rather than a problem, Iyer assured that whoever takes the field will enjoy the full backing of the team management. He added that both he and the head coach prioritize direct communication with players on the bench to ensure they remain confident and ready for their turn.
Finally, Iyer provided an encouraging update on Ishan Kishan following a brief physical scare during practice. Attributing the issue to a minor tweak compounded by a heavy playing schedule, the captain expressed confidence that a day of rest would see the wicketkeeper-batter fully recovered and available for the upcoming match.