'I am emotionless now': Shreyas Iyer on not being part of Team India despite impressive performance

Shreyas Iyer last played for India in an ODI match against South Africa at the Centurion in February this year. He did not get to bat in that match. Iyer, who will lead Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2019, has 210 runs in six ODIs with a healthy average of 42.00. He has scored two half centuries in his five innings with the highest of 88. However, Iyer has found himself not in the squad since that match.

However, the Mumbai batsman said that he is not bothered about not being in the senior team. 

“I am emotionless now. I don’t feel anything from the inside these days,” Iyer told The Indian Express. "For me somehow it isn’t important. Someone comes and says, I am in team, I am not in team, it doesn’t matter much."

Shreyas said that this feeling started after he was not selected to play in the series against West Indies. 

“I have stopped thinking too much. It all started against West Indies. I told myself that I want to enjoy my life. I don’t want selection issues to rule my happiness. Otherwise I would get frustrated and thinking about the future will ruin my present also. It’s better to enjoy life – selection is a temporary thing,” he said in the interview. 

Shreyas Iyer is one the many talented players competing for a place in the Indian middle order right now. Iyer has been one of the most consistent players in the domestic circuit making 809, 1321 and 725 in the last three Ranji Trophy seasons. Apart from playing Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy for Mumbai, he has also been part of and led India A side and the Delhi team in Indian Premier League.

He was part of the India A side that played in New Zealand recently. Just a night after he returned from New Zealand, Iyer turned up for Mumbai in Ranji Trophy and went to score 178 runs. 

“I was in New Zealand when Mumbai asked me whether I can play next game because if Mumbai wants to go to knock-out stage, we need to win all games. How can I say no to Mumbai?” he said.

However, he said that such a busy schedule does take a toll.

“Body is completely tired, I am fatigued mentally. But no one is going to say take rest, Kisi ko farak pada nahi hai kuch (no one cares),” he said.

“Yes. We are not machines... There is no one to tell that players don’t get adequate rest. We are playing non-stop for two years. I am out of home for 300 days. Even if am in India, I am not home,” Shreyas said in the interview.