KKR vs SRH, IPL 2024: Don’t want to think about injuries, focus on what’s on my plate, says Shreyas Iyer

Kolkata Knight Riders open their IPL 2024 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens.

Calcutta: He’s had a tough month in the run-up to the IPL, but KKR captain Shreyas Iyer wants to put all those negative thoughts on the back burner as he focuses on what lies ahead. Iyer, who was recently dropped from BCCI’s central contract list due to his apparent reluctance to play Ranji Trophy, scored 95 in the final for Mumbai with a recurring back injury.

But the NCA has cleared him to play IPL with a rider – that he should be careful while jumping forward. However, the KKR skipper believes he is in top form. “I don’t want to think about what the doctor said, what the injury was, because, as I said before, if you think too much, you concentrate on the injury and forget what you are doing at that moment. are doing the best,” Iyer told the media ahead of the team’s opening match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

“So I want to put all these things aside and focus on what’s on the plate for me,” the skipper made clear his priority. Personally, he feels he is doing well to participate in the tournament. “I have ticked the boxes in every possible way, so I am upbeat,” Iyer added.

“When I look at myself now, I feel like I’m in the best possible shape. I’ve played in the IPL for so many years, so it’s not like I’m completely far away from it. Personally, my preparation was top class.” He has done the hard work and is ready for the big challenge.

“I have trained regularly, I have hit the balls and I have been hitting for a long time. So that’s something I’m good at.” There has been a lot of talk about Iyer and his back injury following his withdrawal from the Test series against England, as the India batsman was left out of central contract ahead of the T20I World Cup in June.

“I am looking forward to winning the IPL. If you asked any captain, they would have the same mentality. And that’s why you have to be in the present as much as possible.” It is clear that he has received a lot of negative publicity lately, but he does not want to dwell on these aspects.

“If you dwell too much on the past or the future, I personally feel that you make a lot of mistakes. So that’s what I’ve learned over time: whatever you have in your hand, you have to make the best use of it.”

“The decision-making out there is not in your hand, and the more you think about it, the more mistakes you make. “So I just want to keep doing my job and make sure I do it right. . And if I do it wrong at all, I want to learn from it and make sure I don’t repeat it again.”

The season also marks a second innings from their two-time IPL-winning captain Gautam Gambhir, who has returned as a mentor for the upcoming IPL. KKR has been without a title since 2014 and finished in seventh place in the past two editions.

“He brings a lot of input. Strategically strong, won two IPLs. Knows a lot about the location and the opponents. Chandu sir (head coach Chandrakant Pandit) and Gautam sir give a lot of inputs. When I talk to them in practice, I get a lot of input.

“I have worked with him before in another franchise (Delhi) and I know what his mentality is. He is a fearless man and he gives you a lot of freedom as a captain and also as a player. So I’m actually honored to play under him and it gives a lot of pleasure to other players in the team to be able to express themselves freely.

“Guys are in good spirits, to be honest. For me, especially after a year, it is a great pleasure to be with the team again. Looking at the mind, I am also internally motivated.” KKR have also revamped their pace bowling line-up by signing Mitchell Starc as the IPL’s most expensive signing ever.

“Motivation is always good from the start. If Starc is in it, it will be of great benefit. He can bowl anywhere, be it in powerplay, middle overs or death. He has a lot of experience. It is also good for our young people.”