Shreyas Iyer has described winning his first international series as India captain as a dream come true, crediting the young players in his squad after the victory over Zimbabwe.
In a video released by the BCCI, Iyer said the team’s fearless mindset and the fierce competition for places in Indian cricket push every player to contribute. Whenever the youngsters take the field, he said, their hunger is clear.
Mayank Yadav’s comeback
Mayank Yadav returned to international cricket after 21 months out injured and finished as the series’ leading wicket-taker, with five wickets in three matches at an economy rate of 6.55. Iyer praised his attitude, noting that Mayank regularly talked through plans with him and then carried them out exactly as agreed.
Sooryavanshi sets the pace
Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored two half-centuries in the three matches and won Player of the Series. Iyer said his quick starts were vital in setting the rhythm of the innings, allowing the middle order, including Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma, to build on them. He added that wins come from contributions by every individual.
A milestone for Iyer
Iyer, 31, had been criticised for his leadership after series defeats against Ireland and England, which made the comprehensive result against Zimbabwe an important step. He said the feeling was hard to put into words and that winning a first series as captain is something every player dreams of. The team, he explained, concentrated on keeping its standards high rather than worrying about results, and that approach paid off.
