IND vs BAN | Was an important series for me in cementing No.4 spot, reveals Shreyas Iyer

India had walked into the 2019 World Cup in England without a solid No.4, even though they thought Vijay Shankar would fit the role. The experimentation went so far that they shuffled everyone from Ambati Rayudu to MS Dhoni to KL Rahul ahead of the mega ICC event. However, all experiments fell flat for Team India, as they agonizingly crashed out in the semi-final against New Zealand. Now, in Shreyas Iyer, the Men in Blue have found an ideal candidate to cement himself in the designated No. 4 batting spot.

“For me personally, they (team management) have given me a heads up that 'You'll be there at No.4. So just back yourself and believe in yourself'," Iyer, revealed in the post-match press conference, reported ESPNCricinfo.

"It has been a really important last few series for me to set the benchmark at the No. 4 position, which all of us are competing for, at the moment,” he added.

The idea of being a "finisher" and saviour for the team on days when Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli are out early, is clear in the mind of the 24-year-old. 

"Even if Kohli and Rohit get out, we need someone to finish the game and bat till the end.' That is a No. 4's role. That's what I was trying to replicate today and it worked out really well for me," stated the Delhi Capitals skipper.

He further spoke about the significance of the knock at Nagpur, on Sunday, and revealed that the team is trying to groom players like him ahead of the T20 World Cup next year. He also added that even though batting at No.4 would be his primary responsibility, but if given a chance, he would definitely bat at any position for the welfare of the team.

“Yes, obviously there is lot of competition going in the team. I personally feel that I compete with myself. I don't want myself to be judged with anyone or when you say that this position is empty in the team. I am really open-minded and can bat at any number. So I just like to back myself in tough situations and today’s innings showed that I can bat under pressure as well.”

Before the revelations at the press conference, Iyer was seen sharing his feeling when he set the stage ablaze in the 15th over, hitting a hat-trick of huge sixes to Afif Hossain. The Mumbai batsman said on Chahal TV, that while going for those back to back maximums he was eyeing to smash six sixes in the over. “I was going for six sixes, but I knew after hitting three, the bowler will throw in a yorker. But, in that situation, you can’t do anything and when you hit three boundaries, you have to go for six sixes, any batsmen would do the same,” he unveiled.

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