India vs West Indies: Know my game really well right now, says Shreyas Iyer

The 25-year-old is gradually settling into the critical number four position in a team that has struggled to find one for the longest time.

Shreyas Iyer speaks to the media ahead of the third ODI at the Barabati Stadium.

With experience, Shreyas Iyer is ripening into a responsible middle order batsman and his knocks of 70 and 53 against West Indies in the ongoing one-day international series have helped India immensely.

On the eve of the third and final ODI between the two countries at the Barabati Stadium here, the 25-year-old Mumbai batsman said he was enjoying his new role.

“I think that (restraint) comes with maturity and responsibility. I was a flamboyant player when I started playing first class cricket. I just used to back my instincts and go with the flow.

“Lately, I have realised that once you play at the highest level, you got to take that maturity to another stage. You have to play according to what the team demands. And that's what I did the other day. The team didn't expect me to play big shots at that time; we just needed a big partnership. I'm really happy about what I did in the first match,” said Iyer.

 

Iyer said he could bat at any position. “I batted at No. 5 in the previous ODI. I'm flexible that way. It's just that you got to play according to the situation and what the team demands. I know that I can play in both flows.”

Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting during an IPL game.

Asked whether he picked up any good habits from Ricky Ponting, the Delhi Capitals captain said even though the Indian Premier League was a different format he noticed a few positives in the former Australian skipper’s approach.

“Ponting is a very positive guy. He backs every player and that's the best quality about him. He treats everybody equally, so he's got an amazing nature as a coach and his man management skill is outstanding.”

Iyer said Indian captain Virat Kohli’s form in the series was not a concern at all.