'Love to play the situation' - Shreyas Iyer on his batting mindset

Shreyas Iyer has spoken candidly about the thinking behind his batting, saying he tailors his approach to the specific demands of each situation rather than following a fixed template. In a conversation with JioStar, Iyer explained how he uses powerplay field restrictions, bowler aggression and field placements to his advantage.

Iyer, who captains India in T20Is and serves as vice-captain in ODIs, said his situation-first mindset has been with him since his early days in domestic cricket. He added that once he is settled at the crease, his focus shifts to building a platform for the batters who follow him.

"I love to play the situation. If I’m going into bat in the powerplay, I want to capitalise on the field restrictions which you have in the powerplay. So, I am someone who likes to go against the bowlers when the chips are down, because that’s when the offensive game comes in. That’s my mindset that has been right from the start, since the time I started playing for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy. And once I get in, I see to it that I create a platform for the batters coming after me. And if I keep continuing, then I know I can take down the bowlers left, right, and centre," Iyer said, speaking to JioStar.

How does Iyer read bowler tactics during an innings?

Iyer described a deliberate process of observation at the crease, one that involves studying field placements and anticipating what the bowling side is trying to do. He said bowlers often try to assert dominance early in an innings, particularly in the one-day format where taking wickets quickly is a priority for the fielding captain.

He noted that understanding this dynamic allows him to turn the bowler's aggression into an opportunity. By recognising when a bowler is trying to get on top of him, Iyer said he is able to shift the momentum in his own favour rather than being put on the back foot.

"I check around the field and see what kind of tactics they are plotting against me. Sometimes bowlers, they love to bluff and they like to get on top of you. They get aggressive at the start, especially in the one-day format. They want wickets. And even if I would be fielding as a captain or a vice-captain, I would be wanting wickets, so I would be right into the batsman. So that’s when I love to capitalise on that, to shift the momentum towards me and see to it that I am playing the ball, I am playing the field, I am manipulating everything around me," Iyer elaborated.

What has Iyer's recent form looked like ahead of this interview?

Iyer's words carry weight given his performances in IPL 2026, where he represented Punjab Kings. In eight matches during that tournament, he scored 309 runs at an average of 61.80, a return that included an unbeaten 71 off 36 balls against Delhi Capitals.

His improved output in IPL 2026 has been linked to a more aggressive batting mindset and a demanding training routine in which he faces more than 300 balls per practice session. These habits appear consistent with the situation-based philosophy he described in the JioStar interview.

On the international stage, Iyer led India in the T20I series against Ireland in June 2026, a series played between June 26 and June 28. He currently plays his IPL cricket for Punjab Kings, having previously represented Mumbai, Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders.