Indian captain: Shreyas Iyer declined to reveal whether teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will make his international debut in the opening T20I against England on Wednesday, stressing that the players who helped India win the T20 World Cup deserve continued support. Speculation over Sooryavanshi’s inclusion has grown ever since the 15-year-old was named in India’s squads for the Ireland and England tours. However, giving him a debut is likely to require India to split their successful opening partnership. Sanju Samson and: Abhishek Sharma. Speaking to the media on the eve of the series opener, Iyer said that the priority of the team management is to give stability and confidence to the current group. “Look, all the players in the team have done well, not just one individual has done well. “But we need to build that opportunity and certainty, so that every individual has the confidence to continue in the tournaments. The players who won the last World Cup definitely have an idea of how to play T20, and they continue to be the main pillars of that format, so it is important to support them. When asked directly if Sooryavanshi will be part of the playing XI, Iyer chose not to reveal the team’s plans. “You never know what’s going to happen. Our hands are also tied at the moment as to what we’re going to do. It’s very private. “It’s something we talked about in the team. We don’t announce to everyone what combination we’re going to play and let the opponents know that it’s going to happen. He’s amazing and whenever he gets an opportunity to play, for sure, he’s going to do (a) brilliant (job).” The Indian skipper also dismissed suggestions that there was external pressure on the team to give the youngster his debut. “I didn’t see anything like that. Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t follow the news, I don’t follow what’s happening on social media. I didn’t hear anything.”
Iyer reflects on Ireland’s defeat
Iyer also looked at India’s recent 0-2 T20I series loss to Ireland, admitting the result was disappointing but insisting it provided valuable lessons. “It’s not embarrassing, but it’s frustrating for us, because we never expected Ireland to play well. “They beat us in every department, they had good ideas about ground dimensions, and we failed in terms of analyzing and planning the ground and dimensions, and how to play the wicket.” He credited Ireland for their performance while expressing confidence that India will continue. “Credit to them, but we learned a lot from that series. This is a whole new chapter for us to come here. “A couple of us have played in England before, and we know the conditions (and) the dimensions here. So, expect an intense and challenging series.”
Conditions in Belfast held India back
According to Iyer, India’s inability to adapt quickly to the unique conditions in Belfast contributed to the loss of the series. “(In) Belfast, we played after many years. “It’s not a reason (for losing the series), but I’m just saying that (in) being acclimatised to the wicket (and) to the conditions, we fell a little bit, (also) in terms of reading the outfield.” He described the venue as different from the grounds that Indian players are used to. “The ground in Belfast is definitely not a stadium. The outfield is quite slow, and it’s uneven. The dimensions are also quite square. “Also as a captain, for me (while) fielding, it felt a bit strange, because we are not used to it. We are playing in the IPL, all the pitches are perfect even in every direction. So, it is quite challenging.” Iyer believes conditions are more familiar in England. “Here (England), the dimensions are very similar, but the ground is flat, and you feel the vibe of the stadium, the crowd is also strong. We play in such conditions, such situations before.
“I trust my instinct”
Despite a modest return in the Ireland series, Iyer said he remains confident in his own batting. “The way I timed the ball in the nets, even in the last game, I thought I had good timing, just the odd ball that bounced and got the inside edge. “That doesn’t make sense with how I’m batting or how much pressure I’m taking. I really trust my instincts. I know how well I can play under pressure.”