Shreyas Iyer knows exactly what he is getting with Gautam Gambhir. The pair won an IPL title together at Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024, Iyer as captain and Gambhir as mentor, and now they are reunited at the helm of India's T20 side. Speaking at the pre-match press conference in New Delhi on Saturday, Iyer was direct about the advantage that familiarity brings.
"Both of us, Gauti bhai and I, have been in this scenario where we need to know the players and how they can deliver for the team," Iyer said. "The more matches we win, the more we would be getting to know each other closely. I have worked with him in the past in KKR. So, I definitely know how his mind works and how his approach is going to be."
That shared history matters. India open a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday, and Iyer believes Gambhir's aggressive coaching style will keep the squad clear on their objectives. The captain spelled out what he sees in the head coach's methods.
"I feel that he has got a very aggressive mindset. He is someone who is always looking to win when he steps onto the field," Iyer said. "He wants every individual to perform, which is pretty much given as a coach. So, he builds a lot of trust and confidence amongst the team, and every player knows what their role and clarity is."
The start of the Gambhir-Iyer partnership at international level was not smooth. India lost series in Ireland and England before Iyer led a 3-0 sweep over Zimbabwe in July, with VVS Laxman standing in as head coach for that assignment. The results since Gambhir took full charge have been mixed, but Iyer is focused on the structure being built rather than the early stumbles.
"So, I think all these alignments are very much important when it comes to coaching skills, and he has got an amazing one-on-one player management approach," Iyer added. "So, that is essential going forward in the tournament when you have that kind of relationship with every player because all of us are different in our own ways and you need to understand a certain player."
India's first test under this new understanding comes against Afghanistan, a side stacked with IPL experience and familiar with Indian conditions. Iyer is not looking past the opening fixture, even with a major multi-sport event on the horizon.
"See, we will go game by game. We don't have to think too much about the future. We are thinking about the first game," Iyer said. "We know that Afghanistan is a nice team, and our preparation has also been promising for the last couple of days. Players are in great shape and mindset."
The captain stressed staying present rather than projecting too far ahead. Afghanistan are dangerous opposition, and India's preparation has been sharp, but the focus remains on Sunday's contest. "So, we have to stay in the present and see to it that we deliver when the time comes," he said.
Beyond the Afghanistan series sits the Asian Games, where Iyer will lead India in defence of their gold medal. It will be his first appearance at the Games, and he is treating it as more than just another cricket assignment. The chance to mix with athletes from other sports is something he is genuinely anticipating.
"It is definitely an exciting time for me and also for the team because it is going to be my first time, and there are a couple of players who have already been in the last Asian Games," Iyer said. "So, an exciting time. The first match we are going to play is against Japan. So, that is going to be a historic one."
He plans to make the most of the experience beyond the boundary rope. "I will be sharing a relationship with the hockey players and other Olympic players and athletes who will be there along with us," he said. "Definitely would be a great interaction, and I would be eagerly waiting to go there and interact with them and know what their mindset is. Probably go to one of the games and cheer for them as well."
The captain framed the trip as a national mission rather than an individual milestone. "So, yes, we are going as a whole nation and then definitely we want to see to it that we come back triumphant," he concluded.
For now, the immediate business is Afghanistan. Iyer has the measure of his coach, and he wants the team to have the same clarity on the field.
According to Yahoo Sports.