On a high after scoring his maiden first-class century, 20-year-old Shreyas Iyer wants to ensure team qualifies for knockouts
Shreyas Iyer, 20, is a new-age cricketer. He is aware of Mumbai cricket's rich history, but doesn't dwell on it too much. He isn't too concerned about the 'khadoos' attitude. He likes to play his natural aggressive game. In fact, that's the only way he knows to score.
His style is finally bearing fruit. After scoring seven and one against Jammu & Kashmir and 11 against Railways, Iyer repaid the faith shown by the selectors by stroking a match-winning 75 against Uttar Pradesh. In the next game, against Bengal in Kolkata, Iyer scored a brilliant 153 to help Mumbai garner three points.
The Worli boy believes he was wrongly given out in the first innings of his debut match against J&K. "That was disappointing. I almost cried. It was my maiden first-class appearance and I wanted to do something," Iyer told dna on Thursday.
"However, my performances in the last two matches have given me confidence. I know now that I can do well at this level," he added.
Breaking into the Mumbai team was a long-cherished dream. "Obviously, I was nervous. I was aware of the tough competition for spots. I knew I had to do something different to retain my place. I am glad I did well after failing against J&K and Railways," he said.
So what did he do to get better? "I started visualising how I would play the bowlers. (Abhishek) Nayar helped me with this. Apart from that, I played my natural game without thinking too much. That is very important. If I play my game, I am confident that I can score without thinking about anything else," he added.
Iyer's rise in cricket wasn't dramatic. He picked up the bat at the age of seven. A few years later, his businessman father asked him to choose between football and cricket. His earlier school, Dr Antonio Da Silva School (Dadar), did not have a cricket team. So, he switched to Don Bosco (Matunga). However, his cricket career did not take off there. Unlike his contemporaries, he doesn't boast a great record in maidan cricket. "I don't know whether I have a century in school cricket," he admitted.
His game got better at the Shivaji Park Gymkhana Cricket Academy where Praveen Amre nurtured him. "Luckily, Amre sir is also the coach of Mumbai. So, if I have any problems, I go to him," he added.
Iyer's career took off after his school days. "After doing well in MCA selection matches as a bowler, I impressed with the bat at the state level. I was the highest scorer for my state in the Cooch Behar Trophy before. I then went to the National Cricket Academy. Soon, I found myself in the India Under-19 team," said Iyer, who was part of the last Under-19 World Cup squad. He also scored a 60-ball ton against Australia Under-19 in the quadrangular tournament in Vizag before the World Cup. "Wish I got more opportunities. We were a talented bunch and hopeful of winning the World Cup, but fate had something else in store," said Iyer.
Coming to Ranji Trophy, Iyer wants Mumbai to qualify for the knockouts. "Of course, winning the Ranji Trophy is our dream but our first aim is to qualify for the knockouts. And I want to play a crucial role in it," he said.
Iyer was thrilled when Sachin Tendulkar gave the team a pep talk after the J&K game. "He asked us not to lose hope. And that is working for me," he said.
Iyer's batting style is similar to that of Mumbai skipper Suryakumar Yadav. Among international stars, he adores South African's AB de Villiers. "I am good friends with Surya not only on the field but off it. Yes, we both like to play aggressive cricket. We play FIFA on 'playstation'," said Iyer, who just finished reading I am Zlatan, a gripping autobiography of the maverick footballer, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
KNOW IYER
Full Name: Shreyas Santosh Iyer
Born: December 6, 1994, in Mumbai
Is a right handed middle-order batsman and leg-spinner
Recently scored his maiden first-class century in a Ranji Trophy game against Bengal
Made his Ranji Trophy debut for Mumbai against Jammu & Kashmir last month
Played for India Under-19 in the 2014 ICC Under-19 World Cup in Dubai
Scored a 67-ball 109 for India Under-19 against Australia Under-19 in a quadrangular series in 2013
Plays for DY Patil Sports Academy in Kanga League and DY Patil 'A' in corporate tournaments
Played for Don Bosco High School (Matunga) and college from Podar College (Matunga)
Took cricket seriously after joining Shivaji Park Gymkhana Academy
Started playing cricket at the age of seven
IYER THIS SEASON
7 & 1 vs Jammu & Kashmir in Mumbai
11 & 0/15 vs Railways in New Delhi
75 vs Uttar Pradesh in Kanpur
153 & 0/3 vs Bengal in Kolkata
Nayar, Lad doubtful for MP game
Senior Mumbai batsman Abhishek Nayar and youngster Siddhesh Lad are doubtful starters for the Ranji Trophy Group 'A' tie against Madhya Pradesh next week. The duo suffered hairline fractures during the game against Bengal. Nayar was hit on the toe while Lad suffered a finger injury. "Nayar is likely to be ruled out from the next game while Lad's fitness test will be conducted on Saturday," a source said.
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