IPL 2019 News: Delhi Capitals’ captain Shreyas Iyer looking for consistency

Delhi Capitals’ captain Shreyas Iyer looking for consistency: The rookie captain is hoping for the team to be more consistent this year.

Currently playing the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Mumbai, Delhi Capitals captain Shreyas Iyer is in red-hot form. Having scored 298 runs in four matches at an average of 99.33 and a strike rate of 191.02 including two centuries, Iyer is currently the highest run-scorer in the tournament.

Having last played for India during India’s tour of South Africa last year, Iyer seems to be making a serious impact to come in the eyes of the selectors. In a recent interview with Sportstar, Iyer reflected on his recent form and disclosed that he ‘went for the kill’.

“I played with a positive stride and I went for the kill. Sikkim [scored 147 against Sikkim in the first match] was not really bad as they had got two early wickets. Once we started dominating, they fell back. We took advantage of that.  I wasn’t able to pick the ball initially as it was low on pace,” Iyer was quoted as saying.

“Captaincy has improved me as a batsman”

Originally not the captain, Iyer was given the responsibility midway in IPL 2018. The 24-year old cricketer believes that captaincy can change the thought process towards the game and that his becoming a captain has had positive effects on his batting.

“When it comes upon you, the thought process and approach towards the team changes. You become mature and you start taking responsibility as an individual. Other players also look up to you as captain and they start respecting you. You have to maintain that diplomacy in the team and you got to be careful in the decisions you take.

“I think I have improved a lot as a batsman and I have realised my strengths and weaknesses. I try to learn as much as possible from everywhere I play. All these things have really helped me as a captain,” Iyer said.

“Will count on the experience of senior players”

Talking about the last season of the IPL, Iyer mentioned that the team’s approach was to win every match towards the business end of the season. Highlighting the same, Iyer hoped of making it to the qualifying stage this year.

“In the last season, we were relentless in the second half. We knew we had to win all games from there. Our approach had changed and I had also taken up the leadership role. Our thought process was to win every game. If we carry the same momentum right from the first match this season and can be consistent, it can help us qualify to the playoffs,” Iyer added.

Being a young captain, captaining senior players is not a mean task. On being asked about captaining the likes of Shikhar Dhawan and Ishant Sharma in IPL 2019, Iyer said that he is looking to count on their experience.

“They have played quite a level than I have. But I have also played along with them in the same team. I know how they are. They are very helpful. Definitely, they will give me opinions, suggestions and how to act in certain situations. Their experience will be counted,” he concluded.