India’s Shreyas Iyer shared that reverting to an upright batting stance has boosted his confidence and consistency, aiding his adaptability to diverse playing conditions at home and overseas. Following India’s narrow loss to Australia in the second ODI, Iyer mentioned that he had been refining his technique over the past year and opted to return to the upright stance he employed in his early years.
“The recent adjustment in my technique wasn’t sudden. For the past year, I’ve been aiming for an upright stance, particularly on bouncy pitches,” Iyer, who scored 61 off 77 balls, explained during the post-match press briefing. “I collaborated with my coach on this change, and it has suited me well. Since I grew up playing with this stance, I decided to revert to my original method to assess its effectiveness,” he added.
Iyer emphasized the significance of being able to modify his stance based on the playing conditions, stating, “Even in Mumbai, where we encounter red-soil wickets with extra bounce, an upright stance proves beneficial. Adapting is crucial as every surface differs. I have tweaked my stance multiple times and feel well-equipped to adjust anywhere at present.”
In partnership with Rohit Sharma, Iyer highlighted their focus on constructing a solid innings on a challenging pitch against a disciplined Australian bowling attack. Reflecting on the match, he acknowledged that batting conditions improved later in the day but commended the Australians for their effective chase.
Regarding the transition between formats and managing domestic and international commitments, Iyer stressed the importance of maintaining rhythm and intensity. He expressed confidence gained from strong domestic performances, emphasizing the need to perform consistently in international cricket.
Acknowledging the disappointment of losing the series, Iyer credited the Australian bowlers for capitalizing on the favorable conditions. He emphasized the impact of workload management on maintaining intensity across different formats, underscoring the need for a strategic approach based on rest and recovery in ODIs.