NEW DELHI: Team India, under new T20I captain Shreyas Iyerwill begin the next leg of their UK tour with a five-match T20I series against England, hoping to bounce back from a disappointing tour of Ireland.India went into the two-match T20I series against Ireland as favourites, but suffered a 2-0 defeat. It was Iyer’s first assignment as T20I captain, and he will now look to turn things around when India take on England in the opening match at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street on Wednesday.Reflecting on the Ireland series, Iyer admitted that the team did not get the start they wanted, but believes there are many lessons to be learned.“Definitely not the start we wanted, but a lot to learn, arriving in new conditions, most of the players are playing for the first time in England and Ireland, so it’s also a learning curve for them. And also we have to build that camaraderie where everyone starts to support and trust each other and that only comes through more games that we play in BC.”
“I want to have that fearless approach”
With the England series now underway, Iyer wants his team to play fearless cricket and put the opposition under pressure.“I just like to be a threat to the opponents. I want to have that aggressive, fearless approach when I’m on the field. I want my troops to gather around that mentality where the opponents are a little intimidated by our personality, by our appearance on the field. mentality I want to imbibe in every individual who represents the country and wanting us to challenge the opponents as well,” said Iyer.The 31-year-old also said that the team is starting a new journey despite India’s success in the previous T20 World Cup.“I think Gauti bhai said in one of his interviews that we were world champions. This is a new paragraph that starts all over where I am the team leader and we start from zero again,” he said.
On the advice of Rohit and Surya
Iyer also spoke about the support he received from Rohit Sharma and former T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav.Iyer replaced Suryakumar as India’s T20I captain after the latter led the team to another T20 World Cup title. However, a dip in the batting form and long-term plans of the selectors resulted in the change of leadership.“Interacting with Rohit Sharma, it’s like you’re just having a conversation with your brother. He’s that kind of figure who has also helped me in my domestic career. So it’s always been easy to interact with him,” said Iyer.“And Surya (Suryakumar Yadav), again, similar character. I played a lot of domestic cricket with him and just before coming here he gave me inputs on how the management will be, how the players will be in this certain situation. So yes, definitely a decent interaction and a lot to learn at the same time,” he said.
Iyer’s heartfelt tribute on the Day of the Doctor
Iyer also paid tribute to the doctors who helped him recover from the serious injury he sustained during the 2025 Australia tour in Sydney. The injury left him with a ruptured spleen and internal damage, requiring critical medical attention.On Doctor’s Day, the Indian captain thanked the medical team that helped him return to cricket.“An injury can make you realize how quickly life can change. I am very grateful to the doctors and medical teams that helped me get back to health, strength and the sport I love,” said Iyer.“They stayed with me during one of the most challenging phases of my life. Dedicating my second birthday to health professionals is my tribute to the people who made my comeback possible,” he said.