Iyer after India’s close shave: ‘It was a really challenging wicket to bat on’

India T20I captain Shreyas Iyer has actually hailed an “impeccable” and “outstanding” efficiency from the Japan side, who offered the visitors a magnificent scare in a five-over shootout in Sano.

“The attitude and approach the Japanese team showed today was impeccable and kudos to them,” Iyer stated after India won a nail-biting T20I by 2 runs. “Their approach was outstanding. So I’m sure that they are on the right track right now and they’ve got a couple more matches against Afghanistan and Nepal [at the Asian Games]; they would be brilliant.”

On a difficult surface area, which turned square almost from the very first ball, Japan limited India to 32 for 4 after a damp outfield lowered the only T20I to a five-overs-a-side contest. Japan offered the target a shot however handled just 30 for 3 with all 10 overs bowled by spinners.

“Well, it was turning square, and honestly speaking, it was a very difficult wicket to bat on,” Iyer stated. “We saw the openers as well, who are used to scoring runs consistently, not able to gauge the pace of the spin.”

Iyer was the only batter from the Indian side to tape a double-digit rating – 16 off 12 – with the leading order collapsing versus spin. Abhishek Sharma succumbed to a first-ball duck, Sanju Samson scored 9, Ishan Kishan 3 and Tilak Varma 1 *. India handled simply 2 fours in 5 overs and no 6s, with Japan likewise just striking 2 fours. Ultimately, Iyer’s 16 showed crucial to the result of the video game.

“I decided when I got in that it’s important that I need to take singles and doubles and rotate the strike as much as possible,” Iyer, who was likewise called gamer of the match, stated. “I also interacted with the batsman who came in with me, but it was difficult to do that as well.

“Truthfully speaking, I simply chose that I would be playing on the benefit of the ball and strategy appropriately. If the ball is turning and rolling a bit, I’ll simply utilize the speed of the ball and hold myself at the back and ensure that I match for songs and doubles. That worked out quite well.

“You see, I always keep saying that five-over game, it can go anywhere. It doesn’t matter how good a team you are, because the opposition is also competitive.”

Iyer hasn’t had the very best run in his brief captaincy profession, losing the T20I series on the roadway versus Ireland and England, before signing up wins versus Zimbabwe and Afghanistan. He will next lead the side at the Asian Games, with India’s matches set up to start on September 28 in Nisshin. While Iyer stated that India is clearly aiming to bring home another gold medal, he wishes to take it “one step at a time.”

“It’s a pleasure to be leading the Indian team,” he stated. “With the performances you’ve seen in the past, winning so many trophies, it’s a great responsibility. But with responsibility comes pressure and I feel that I thrive under pressure. So it’s a great role for me and I always feel that the captaincy is something that gets the best out of me. So always loving to explore this.

“It was a long travel for us to Sano; it took us 3 hours to reach here however at the back of our minds, we had just one thing that we wish to play the video game, thrill the crowd who has actually pertained to see the video game and the advocates who’ve been aiming to ensure that this match was arranged.

“Even though it was five overs, I personally feel that at least we got a game to see and to honestly experience such a great performance from the Japanese team and also Indian players as well. So yeah, overall, I feel it was an exciting game and yeah, honestly, they were also brilliant with their performances.”