Shreyas backs India to bounce back after 'depressing' Ireland defeat

India captain Shreyas Iyer admitted the 2-0 T20I series loss to Ireland was "depressing", conceding that his side were outplayed in every department and fell short in adapting to the unique conditions in Belfast. However, with England presenting an entirely different challenge, the skipper insisted India had learnt their lessons and were ready to turn the page ahead of the five-match series.

"It wasn't embarrassing, but it was depressing for us, because we definitely didn't expect Ireland to play that well," Shreyas said on the eve of the first T20I at Chester-le-Street. "They outplayed us in every department, they had brilliant ideas about the dimensions of the ground, and we fell short in terms of analysing and planning the ground and the dimensions, and how the wicket would be played. So kudos to them, credit to them, but we learnt a lot from that series."

Shreyas said the conditions in England present an entirely different challenge and was confident that India were far better equipped this time around. "This is completely a new chapter for us coming in here. A couple of us have played in England before, and we know the conditions, we know the ideas, we know the dimensions over here. So looking forward to an intense and challenging series."

Shreyas also dismissed suggestions that the shortcomings exposed in Belfast would linger. "No, those shortcomings are no longer there," he said. "As I mentioned earlier, a couple of us have played in England before, we know how the wickets are, usually we see it on TV as well. Belfast, we played after so many years. It's not a reason, but I'm just saying that turning up over there and then getting acclimatised to the wicket, to the conditions, we fell a bit short in terms of reading the outfield, and getting accustomed to the conditions over there."

Comparing the two venues, he felt the setup in Chester-le-Street was far more familiar. "I feel it's completely different because the Belfast ground definitely wasn't a stadium. The outfield wasn't even. And the dimensions also were a bit squarish. So, cutting the singles, cutting the doubles, especially when you're fielding in the outfield, the angles… as a captain, setting the field, it felt a bit outlandish because we're not used to it.

"Over here… the ground is flat, and you feel the vibe, you feel the stadium vibe, the crowd would be intense as well. We've played in such conditions, such situations before."

Shreyas himself endured a quiet series in Ireland, but the captain insisted he was unconcerned by his own form and believes the runs will come. "Not at all," he said when asked if captaincy had added to the burden on his batting. "The way I'm timing the ball in the nets, even in the previous game, I thought I was timing brilliantly, just the odd ball bounced and took an inner edge. That doesn't justify how my batting is or how much pressure I'm taking.

"I definitely believe in my instincts. I know how well I play under pressure. So, I just want to keep that faith in me and go forward in the upcoming matches."

Shreyas also played down suggestions that England could be disadvantaged by the quick turnaround from their recently-concluded Test series against New Zealand.

"I certainly don't know what goes around in the England team's atmosphere," he said. "But the transition coming from a Test match and getting accustomed to a white ball, I think the majority of the players have been through that. It is not that it is a new thing for them. I am sure they will be completely fine with it."

'Whenever he gets an opportunity, he will do brilliant'

One of the biggest talking points ahead of the series has been whether 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will make his international debut. Shreyas, however, remained tight-lipped about India's plans.

"You never know what is going to happen," he said. "Our hands are also tied at the moment in terms of what we are going to do. Because this is very private. This is something that we discuss in the team. We can't let everyone know about what combination we are going to play and let the opponents know that this is going to happen.

"Definitely, he is a brilliant prodigy. And whenever he gets an opportunity to play, definitely he will do brilliant."