‘I definitely know how his mind works’: Shreyas Iyer on Gautam Gambhir

Shreyas Iyer (Image credit: BCCI) NEW DELHI: India captain Shreyas Iyer believes his good understanding with head coach Gautam Gambhir can help India maintain clear communication and an attacking mindset in T20 cricket. India will face Afghanistan in the first T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday.Iyer and Gambhir worked together at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) where they helped the franchise win the IPL title in 2024. Iyer was the captain while Gambhir was the mentor.Iyer believes Gambhir’s aggressive approach and his ability to understand individual players can help the team clarify their roles.“I feel like he has a very aggressive mindset. He’s someone who always tries to win when he steps on the field. He wants every individual to perform, which is pretty much a given as a coach. So he builds a lot of trust and confidence in the team and every player knows what their role is and clarity.”“So I think all those alignments are very important in terms of coaching skills and he has an amazing approach to managing players one-on-one. So that’s crucial in a tournament when you have that relationship with each player because each of us is different in our own way and you have to understand a certain player.”Iyer understands Gambhir’s approachIyer and Gambhir did not get off to an ideal start after India lost the series in Ireland and England. Iyer then led India to a 3-0 series win over Zimbabwe in July, with VVS Laxman serving as stand-in head coach.After working with Gambhir at KKR, Iyer said he already has a good idea of ​​how the Indian coach thinks and approaches the game.“Both of us, Gauti bhai and I, have been in this scenario where we need to know the players and how they can be for the team. The more matches we win, the more we will get to know each other. I have worked with him in the past at KKR. So I definitely know how his mind works and what his approach will be,” Iyer said at the pre-match press conference on Saturday.India is targeting Afghanistan firstAfghanistan will be India’s first challenge where several players will be familiar with Indian conditions after playing in the IPL.Iyer said India will not look too far ahead and instead focus on the opening match.“You see, we will go match by match. We don’t have to think too much about the future. We are thinking about the first match. We know that Afghanistan is a good team and our preparation is also promising in the last few days. The players are in great form and set up.“So we have to stay in the present and make sure we deliver when the time comes. We have a great opportunity before the Asian Games to play against a very good team. So we are looking for great competition and yes, fingers crossed. We will do our best.”I am excited about the first Asian GamesIyer is also looking forward to his first Asian Games where he will lead India in their bid to defend the gold medal.The India captain said he is excited to meet athletes from different sports and learn more about their mindset.“It’s definitely an exciting time for me and the team because it will be my first time and there are a few players who have been to the last Asian Games.“So, an exciting time. The first game we play will be against Japan. So it will be historic and I’ll be sharing a relationship with the hockey players and other Olympic players and athletes who will be there with us.”“It would definitely be a great interaction and I’d be looking forward to going there and interacting with them and knowing what their mindset is. Probably going to one of the games and cheering them on as well. So yeah, we’re going as a nation and then we definitely want to make sure we come back victorious,” he concluded.