Captain Iyer Prepares India for Unfamiliar Asian Games Conditions

New Delhi, September 19 – Shreyas Iyer, who led India to a flawless 3‑0 T20 series triumph over Afghanistan, is now turning his attention to the 2026 Asian Games, where he will make his cricket debut. The Indian side is scheduled to depart on Sunday for Japan, where a warm‑up T20 International against the hosts will precede the Games in Nagoya‑Ichihara. During a video posted on the BCCI’s X platform, Iyer explained, “This will be my first Asian Games, so I’m waiting to absorb the local conditions and adapt quickly because we have never played there before.” He noted that understanding the pitch, crowd dynamics and the overall atmosphere will combine to shape the team’s performance, stressing that a cohesive unit is essential for building momentum. Commenting on the recent Afghanistan series, Iyer praised the opponents’ zeal while underscoring India’s dominant, positive approach that delivered the series sweep. “The Afghan players are extremely enthusiastic. Their desire to win was evident from the first ball,” he said. “Our own mindset was assertive yet balanced, which helped us secure the series away from home.” Iyer also highlighted opener Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 100‑run knock off just 30 balls in the third T20, pointing out Sharma’s comfort on Indian surfaces and his ability to post big totals. “Abhishek’s batting was magnificent. He trains in Delhi, knows the pitches intimately, and we expected a big score – he delivered beyond that,” Iyer remarked. Attributing the team’s consistent output to a positive dressing‑room culture, Iyer said the energy off the field mirrors the performance on it. “We have established a benchmark for ourselves, and every game shows we are getting better. The mindset of each player, both on‑field and in the locker room, is vital. That supportive environment is the real engine behind our results.”