The murmurs around the ‘Bazball’ approach made famous by the England cricket team have already started ahead of the Test series against India starting January 25. England have enjoyed a mix run of form using the approach and various former cricketers including legendary batter Michael Vaughan felt that they will have to adapt their game according to the Indian conditions. Indian cricket team star Shreyas Iyer was asked about ‘Bazball’ recently and he had a very straight-forward answer.
“To be honest, I don’t really think about what the opposition is going to do and what kind of mindset they are going to come with. It’s important we stick to our own plans and focus on our own abilities rather than concentrate much on our opponents. So, these are the small qualities we have to keep in mind and look forward to put our best foot forward and see to it that we seize the moment,” Iyer told JioCinema.
Earlier, Shreyas Iyer’s non-selection for the T20I series against Afghanistan had given fodder to the player indiscipline talks, but Indian cricket team head coach Rahul Dravid denied the rumours.
“Shreyas Iyer’s case has absolutely nothing to do with any disciplinary issue. It is just that he missed out. There are a lot of batsmen in the team. He did not play in the T20s in the SA as well,” said the former Indian captain.
Dravid said it was tough to accommodate all the players into the squad or the first eleven.
“It is unfortunate because he is a fine player but there are a lot of batsmen and it is not easy to fit everyone into the squad or playing 11. No discipline issues were discussed, at least during my discussion with the selectors,” said Dravid.
Iyer, after a poor series in South Africa where he seemed like a ‘walking wicket’, was instructed by selectors to go and play Ranji Trophy for Mumbai as he is a part of the Test team.
Iyer scored a run-a-ball 48 as Andhra bowlers tried to exploit his weakness against short ball.
Asked about the England Test series, Iyer replied he isn’t looking that far ahead.
“It’s important to take one match at a time, not think about five-match Test series. The team is only for the first two games. The motto would be to perform in the first two games and then look forward to the rest of the games.”
(With PTI inputs)
