"It had gone into my head at one point" - Shreyas Iyer on criticism about his struggles against short-pitched deliveries
India's middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer declared that he faces no problems against short-pitched deliveries despite consistent criticism about this area of his game. However, the right-handed batter admitted that it had got to his head at one point.
The right-hander, who scored an enterprising fifty against Bangladesh on Day 2 of the second Test in Mirpur (December 23), has been found wanting against short-pitched deliveries on multiple occasions. Two years ago, Australia's bowlers had exploited it during the ODI series Down Under.
Tea on Day 2 of the 2nd Test.
@RishabhPant17 & @ShreyasIyer15 have added a solid 132-run partnership in the second session in which India amassed 140 in just 25 overs.
Scorecard - bit.ly/BANvIND-2NDTEST #BANvIND https://t.co/5xI7tRPhUf
Speaking after the day's play, the KKR captain recalled when commentators pointed out the short-ball weakness in his game. Nevertheless, the 28-year-old revealed this was an aspect of his game he had worked on.
Iyer said, as quoted by the Indian Express:
"That is just what the commentators talk about. And off-the-field guys kept saying it was an issue. It had gone into my head at one point. But if you see, if I can leave or keep it down, I definitely don’t have a problem."
"Obviously, bowlers started to target when I came to bat. When the ball was seaming well, they were bowling short balls. I told myself it's good, I can get runs now. Practice keeps happening and execution also."
The Mumbai-born batter continued:
"It does play in the batsman’s mind when people from outside talk about the problem and it’s important as a player to turn a deaf ear to them. The rest will take care of itself. At the end of the day, ignorance is bliss."
During the India-England Test in July in Birmingham, Brendon McCullum instructed the English bowlers to start the chin music when the 28-year-old came to bat.
A short ball angling into the body accounted for the right-handed batter in the first innings. This was followed by a similar dismissal in the second after he holed out a delivery to mid-wicket.
Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant help India edge ahead against Bangladesh
The partnership between Iyer and Rishabh Pant of 159 proved critical, helping the visitors to an 87-run lead in the first innings. The latter walked in at 94-4 after Virat Kohli's departure and took the attack to the opposition.
Bangladesh vs India: 2nd Test, Day 2
Bangladesh trail by 80 runs.
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Iyer scored 87 while Pant made 93 as India folded for 314. Bangladesh trailed by 80 runs at the end of play on Day 2.