We will bounce back strongly in the ODIs: Shreyas Iyer

After India’s loss in the Test series, the focus has already shifted to the ODIs. Although India will play another Test, it is more of a customary game wherein the Indians will play for pride. South Africa on the other hand will want to continue to be brutal with their pace attack at its zenith.

Once the Test series ends, India will play the South Africa in the limited-overs leg of the tournament. They will play 6 ODIs and 3 T20Is against the Rainbow Nation beginning shortly after the conclusion of the third Test. The limited-overs series starts on 1st February. India will lock horns with the Proteas in the first ODI on the same day. Young top-order batsman, Shreyas Iyer is confident about doing well in the limited overs format.

‘MS Dhoni will be the key’

The new addition to India’s batting line-up, Shreyas Iyer said that they will come back strong in the One-Day Internationals. “We will also look to come back strongly. We have not won the Test series so will look to bounce back strongly,” Iyer said after being asked about the Test series loss.

The return of former captain MS Dhoni will also bolster the chances of the side. Shreyas seems to be all excited about the ODI series. He also set his targets clear. “MS is coming back. He has led the Indian team previously. He’s a great finisher, looking forward to the ODI series. We would look to win the ODI series. That would be my target,” he said.

Having recovered from a hamstring injury, Iyer will join the team for the ODI series as he showed signs of full fitness with a sterling 79 not out to lead Mumbai to 198/4 before going down to Punjab by three wickets in their Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 fixture here. Iyer has also done his homework for the bouncy conditions in South Africa. “Prior to South Africa tour, getting a knock like this is important. It will give me a lot of confidence. I will see to it if I can carry the same form in South Africa,” he added.

Iyer also spoke about the conditions in South Africa and made some interesting observations. He also said that “Since I was injured after the Sri Lanka tour, I was watching the matches and they have bouncy and seaming pitches. My preparation would be to play the ball on merit and to be on backfoot more rather than playing on the front foot”.

He made it a point that it was important to stay positive. He said, “In India, the ball does not climb so much as compared to South African wickets. To stay as much positive as possible and progress in my innings”.
“After going there I will set a goal for myself and see to it that I achieve that goal,” he concluded.

(With PTI Inputs)