Hopeful that experimentation with new batting order will prove beneficial, says Shreyas Iyer

India’s Shreyas Iyer has stated that he believes in the ongoing experimentation of the team and that it will pay rich dividends for India in the near future.

Whilst the fans were hoping to see a direct shoot-out for the opening spot between KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan, Indian skipper Virat Kohli dropped a bombshell by demoting himself to No.4, in the process, fitting in all three of Rahul, Rohit and Dhawan. In the end, it turned out to be a failed experiment as Kohli could manage just 16 runs, getting out to Adam Zampa.

However, Kohli’s experimentation had far more adverse effects on the team, meaning not only him, but Shreyas Iyer, who’d enjoyed success batting at No.4, also had to move down one spot to No.5. Speaking ahead of the 2nd ODI in Rajkot, Iyer, who has thrived in the ODI team in the last 6 months, stated that he was hopeful of the experimentation in the batting order working in the future, and said that he was not too worried about the chopping and changing.

Iyer also attested that batsmen cannot “cry” about their batting position in a team where it’s all but impossible to find a spot in the first XI.

"In this situation, you should be ready to bat at any number because it is really important to play in the team, (considering) the competition which we have right now," Iyer was quoted as saying by Times of India.

"We can't give any reasons for batting at any particular number. Yes it is really important for us to be focused and not to cry about why we haven't been batting at a similar position. Experimentation is something we are looking forward to. Hopefully, we will get a good number for each batsman.

"This is the time we should try and experiment things and hopefully it will work out in the future," said the middle-order batsman.

One of the main talking points ahead of the series was the return of talisman pacer Jasprit Bumrah to ODI cricket, after having missed more than four months of action owing to a lower-back stress fracture. The pacer did not have a fruitful return, going wicketless and conceding 50 runs in just 7 overs, but Iyer believes that there’s no reason to worry and reassured fans that it was the ‘same old Bumrah’.

"He is same as usual, he is sharp and bowling at good pace. Same old Bumrah we know. Nothing has changed in him. I don't need to talk extra about that."

Iyer, who is the captain of IPL Franchise Delhi Capitals, also expressed his admiration for Glenn Maxwell, who was dropped from the ODI squad following a disappointing showing in the 2019 World Cup.

"He (Maxwell) is an amazing lad to play alongside. He motivates and there is a lot to learn from him. I don't know about his selection but there is a lot to learn from him.”