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IPL 2018: This is what Shreyas Iyer told Jason Roy before Delhi's last-ball win against Mumbai

Shreyas Iyer was at the non-striker’s end as DD needed 11 runs to win off the last over.

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Though Mumbai ended up on the losing side on Saturday, local lads came good with the bat in the Indian Premier League match between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Daredevils. 

While Suryakumar Yadav scored an attacking 53 opening for Mumbai Indians, it was Shreyas Iyer, with an 27 not out in an unbeaten 60-run fourth wicket partnership, who prevailed over his senior Mumbai Ranji Trophy team-mate on the day. 

Iyer was at the non-striker’s end as DD needed 11 runs to win off the last over, chasing 195 to win their first match this IPL in three fixtures. 

England opener Jason Roy, who scored a match-winning undefeated 91, picked up a four and a six off the first two balls before playing out three dot balls off Mustafizur Rahman.

Iyer was restless as Roy faced up to the last ball and a single would ensure DD win and that the match did not go to the Super Over.

Asked what he told Roy before the final delivery, the 23-year-old Iyer said: “He has batted more than me, so obviously he had a better idea about the wicket. I just told him to ‘hold your position, you are hitting the ball really well, so don't try to be cheeky. And, you can easily clear the boundary’. Nothing major.”

And, Roy cleared the infield for a single and had Iyer jump into his arms in celebration of DD’s seven-wicket win, their first of the season.

“Obviously, the feeling is phenomenal. We were waiting for this win, and especially against Mumbai Indians, it's a great comeback from the team and obviously all of wanted to win this game, so really enjoyed,” Iyer said at the post-match press conference.

Iyer was pleased with his bowlers’ comeback, especially after MI raced off to 84/0 in the first six overs. DD restricted MI to 194/7 in 20 overs.

“Obviously, we were expecting around 220 but the bowlers restricted them well in the middle and we really bowled well in patches. The comeback was amazing by the bowlers and hopefully we keep continuing doing the same things,” Iyer said.

The right-handed batsman did not throw away his wicket after getting a start, as he is usually known to. 

“I used to be careless regarding the shots a couple of years ago. But after some years, I have realised that if I give myself time, I can easily cover up runs. Today also, I did that. I stayed calm. When I was playing dots, I just told that at the end am anyway going to cover it. I am going to finish the game, that's what I kept saying to myself, and yeah, it's helping me,” said Iyer frankly.

Ready to bat at any position, Iyer came in at No. 5. He was ready to bat at No. 3. 

“Well, I am always ready to bat in any position. You've got to be ready in any position you're put up. I was supposed to come in at No. 3. We had discussed that if Jason (Roy) got out, I would go in and if Gambhir got out, Rishabh (Pant) would be going in. Gambhir got out and Pant went in. They continued the partnership and had a brilliant one (69 in 6.4 overs for the second wicket). Suddenly there was a patch in between where you know you've got to close down the run chase and Maxwell was the best man to go in at that time. Even I could have gone, but Ricky (Ponting) believed more in Maxwell. It's part and parcel of selection,” said Iyer about batting at No. 5.

Asked if he preferred a settled batting order, Iyer said that one must play according to the situation. 

“As the situation demands, you have to be ready at any number to bat and all the players have to be on their toes. You have to get the best results at any position you are told to bat at. I am currently enjoying the challenge. In some matches, the luck didn't go our way but obviously all of us are hitting the ball really well,” Iyer said.

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