Asian Games: Shreyas Iyer welcomes pressure as India face Afghanistan in quarterfinal

India have not had the smoothest build-up to their Asian Games quarterfinal against Afghanistan, with relentless rain disrupting preparations and their only recent match practice coming in a five-over-a-side game against Japan. But Shreyas Iyer does not want the circumstances to dilute the expectations around his team.

India’s women have already secured gold in Nagoya, while the men now begin the knockout stage with the pressure of matching that standard. Iyer, however, sees that expectation differently, believing it is the kind of pressure an Indian team should want when the stakes rise.

“The expectation always remains to finish at the top for India and that is good pressure. When there are expectations, you want to deliver, but at the same time I think we should not think too much about the outcome. The standard we have set as a team, we should transcend that in every match.”

Afghanistan may be a familiar opponent, with India having swept their recent T20I series 3-0, but Iyer does not see that as a reason to take Monday’s quarterfinal lightly. The rain-hit contest against Japan, which India won by just two runs after it was reduced to five overs per side, was a reminder of how quickly conditions can alter the balance of a game.

“Not just Afghanistan, even Japan gave us good competition the other day. The wicket here is not set as per a particular standard, so adaptation is very important. It will be challenging and difficult for every team.”

RAIN WILL NOT BE AN EXCUSE

Nagoya has been battered by torrential rain over the last two days, leaving India with limited opportunities to train properly before the knockout stage. Iyer, though, has been keen to keep the focus away from what India have not been able to do and towards what they can still control.

“We cannot cite the reason of rain because we are a bunch of professionals. Such hurdles keep coming and mentally we have to be prepared irrespective of what the situation is going to be.”

India have tried to make the most of whatever windows the weather has offered, with players getting time for knocking, warm-ups and bowling work despite the conditions.

“It's not just normal rain, it's a torrential downpour. But we were still able to maximise our warm-up and get the feel of the stadium, breathe fresh air and also, on the turf, even when it was raining, we did some knocking. The bowlers did some strides in the background. So we are trying to maximise the best we can.”

Iyer has also enjoyed the experience of being part of the wider Asian Games environment, particularly the discipline around the event. India had spent time in Tokyo before playing Japan and, despite limited practice sessions, the players found time to experience the city.

“The discipline I liked very much. People follow the instructions. We were in Tokyo, played a match against Japan and did not get too many practice sessions, so we explored the place a little bit. It was a good experience.”

With cricket continuing to grow on the multi-sport stage and set to return to the Olympics, Iyer believes every opportunity to play matters, particularly for a team trying to maintain its standards across different conditions.

“Every match is important because every match gives us practice. The way cricket is growing, competition is also increasing and it is good for cricket overall. The more opportunities we get to play matches, the better. So we will have to maintain good fitness and mindset.”

India now have little room for the uncertainty that has followed them through the build-up. Afghanistan stand between them and a place in the semi-finals, with the knockout stage likely to demand a very different level of control from the five-over scramble against Japan. For Iyer and his team, the expectation is no longer something to discuss. It is now something they have to play with.