‘When there are expectations, you want to deliver’: Shreyas Iyer on gold medal aspirations

'When there are expectations, you want to deliver': Shreyas Iyer on gold medal aspirations

The expectation that comes with playing for India is a “good” kind of pressure, captain Shreyas Iyer said on Sunday, a day before leading India's Asian Games campaign with a quarter-final against Afghanistan.

"See, when you represent India, there are always expectations that you have to finish at the top. And that is a good pressure. When there are expectations, you want to deliver," Iyer said at the pre-match press conference.

"But at the same time, I feel that we should not think much about the outcome. We have set a standard as a team. We keep trying to transcend that standard in every match."

India qualified directly for the quarter-finals, unlike Afghanistan, who have already played two matches in the competition.

Iyer said no side could be taken lightly, pointing to the scare India had against Japan a few days ago.

"Not only Afghanistan, any team in the Asian Games,” Iyer said. “Japan gave us a very good competition, because the wicket here cannot be set to a particular standard. As I said earlier, it is very important to adapt. It will be challenging and difficult for every team."

Rain impacted India’s practice session in Nagoya, but Iyer refused to use it as an excuse.

"Yes, it is raining. We cannot give that as a reason, because we have decided that we are a bunch of professionals, and such hurdles will keep coming. Mentally, we have to be prepared irrespective of whatever the situation is going to be," he said. "Tomorrow, we will try to adapt as soon as possible to the wickets. We will see how the weather is, but that is secondary. The primary importance is to come and play the match."

"Today when we woke up, we thought we would be getting a little bit of practice. We knew that we would be playing on turf. But as soon as we arrived, the rain started again. And it is not just normal rain, it's torrential downpour."

"We were able to maximise a little bit in terms of our warm-up, and just breathe the fresh air around the stadium and get the feel of it. On the turf, even though it was pouring a little bit, we tried to get some knocking. The bowlers did some strides in the outfield and bowled a couple of overs. So we are trying to maximise the best we could."

On playing in a multi-discipline event, Iyer said the experience was "completely different" from bilateral series and ICC tournaments.

“It's completely different over here," Iyer said. "Right now, there are teams who are from Asia. And at the same time, we are in different venues. But we are playing at the same venue. Staying in different venues, playing in the same venue. So, I personally feel it's a great opportunity for everyone to come and represent their own country. And at the same time, the conditions are challenging."

“The more you embrace it, the more you basically see to it that you are pretty much optimising the best opportunities that you are getting. And at the same time, I feel that you put your reasons aside and try to maximise everything that is around you. In this beautiful country, Japan, I feel everything eventually falls in the right place."

“It's an honour to be representing India in Asian Games and captaining it at the same time. I feel there are a talented bunch of athletes who have come representing different sports. So my only thought is that as many gold medals we get, that would be great for the country."

“And also it's a great motivation for them to step up from here to the Olympics. And we've seen some amazing records made this season. So looking forward to seeing some more amazing events happening around. And if we get an opportunity to go and see one of them, would love to.”