Even top footballers are not picked for World Cup, says Shreyas Iyer
The immensely talented Shreyas Iyer, who played six ODIs and six T20 internationals for India, is dealing with the pain of rejections for the World Cup. He has stated that some of the better players fail to make the FIFA World Cup despite shining for their clubs helps him put things in perspective.
Iyer knocked out on 148 runs of 117 deliveries in the Deodhar Trophy against India C on Saturday. However, he realized that he is not the only human suffering and this helped him to focus only on the process of scoring runs on the field. He is looking forward to have a major participation in the Australia-bound T20 squad but Iyer has been overlooked despite a string of good scores.
"It's not just cricket but even football and other sports, if you see, there also we find breakdowns (heartbreaks). You can find a lot of top footballers not being selected for World Cup despite performing for their clubs. All these small, small things matter and helped me focus on what I am doing at the present," Iyer said on Saturday.
"I have realised that it's not only me but there are a lot of other players also who are not being selected. So I can see their frustration as well at the same time and I think it's just part and parcel of every sportsman's life. They all go through it," the 23-year-old Mumbaikar said.
"I have been playing matches continuously. So I just go match by match as selection is not in my hands. My job is to keep scoring runs and I am lately focusing on that only. Earlier, selection matters used to really play on my mind. Now I have just forgot those things and focusing on things that are necessary," Iyer said.
Despite worrying about not selected for Australia tour, Iyer relaxed and focused on the Deodhar Trophy final.
"To be honest, I didn't react when I got selected. I was focusing on the match as it was really important for me going forward. Deodhar Trophy is the tournament where all performers in Vijay Hazare and Ranji Trophy are playing.
"If you play a good knock over here, you are recognised and selectors have eyes on you and I am in the scheme of things. On and off, it doesn't really matter as you play cricket for passion," said Iyer.
"When we go in India A team and all of us have performed well for our domestic circuits. Main aim is to enjoy each other's success. When someone gets a hundred, all of us feel happy and cheer that person. It's not like someone is jealous and someone is not," he added.
The only question he sidestepped was on the communication issue with the selectors. "I am not going to say anything on that," he smiled as everyone present had a good laugh.
