“I Push Myself Harder…”- Shreyas Iyer Shares Success Mantra In Tackling ‘Injuries And Failures’ Ahead Of PBKS vs RR Clash

Ahead of the game against the Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer said that injuries and doubts fuel him to go out there and excel on the field. The PBKS captain also shared his determination to guide his side to their maiden IPL title after failing to cross the line on the previous two occasions. Speaking on JioStar's 'Believe' with Irfan Pathan, the Punjab Kings captain discussed his mindset, recovery, self-belief, and the duty of finishing games for his franchise.

"I have people around me who say that in this situation, you can't do it. It's impossible. I don't like hearing that. As a cricketer playing at the highest level, I just can't accept it. Then, in my mind, I decide that I have to prove them wrong. The challenge becomes: 'I was in this situation, how can I come back stronger?' I push myself harder and try to return as soon as possible to prove them wrong. That thought keeps driving me, especially after injuries," the PBKS skipper added.

Iyer also added that the challenge of proving such opinions wrong comes through performances and mental framing during rehabilitation. According to the PBKS skipper, players must choose their thoughts and actions and ignore the 'noise'. That focus shapes how they can return from injury.

Shreyas Iyer: Building Maturity & Self-Belief Beyond Field

Iyer linked maturity to lessons beyond the field. He recalled facing rejections at trials and losing games as a child. He feels everyone faces ups and downs. For him, the key is bouncing back quickly and turning difficult phases into positive learning periods.
He highlighted the role of self-talk during hard phases. Iyer said people often try to pull others down. He believes what matters is how one lifts oneself. He sometimes reads books, travels, and spends time alone. These steps help him shift attention away from cricket.

Iyer spoke about accepting missed goals without regret. He believes players should set targets but also move on if they fall short. Otherwise, they keep replaying mistakes. He said he has reached a stage where, if one target fails, he calmly seeks another one.

Iyer's Approach To Finishing Games

Iyer said he wants to stay in and finish games. He enjoys the responsibility of closing chases for the Punjab Kings. He believes his presence till the final overs lifts winning chances. It also helps the team, especially in high-pressure TATA IPL situations.

He praised the Punjab Kings openers and youngsters for their strong starts. He said their efforts matter most when chasing 200-plus targets. He noted that, in recent seasons, successful chases came from such platforms. Once that base is set, he feels confident about capitalising on it.

Iyer added that, even without good starts, he must adapt. In those cases, he creates a new scenario in his mind. That helps him carry different batting roles as required. He wants to adjust his game situation by situation, always aiming to close matches.

Working On The 'Short-Ball' Issue

Iyer addressed talk about his earlier short-ball weakness. He said claims that he could never fix it pushed him. He decided to respond by improving that area. Earlier, he would look for singles or keep the ball down against such bowling.

His mindset has now changed regarding the short ball. He said that if a short ball is in his zone, he plans to hit it for six. He trains with long batting sessions. During practice, he sometimes plays around 50 overs and faces more than 300 balls.

Iyer trains closely with coach Pravin Amre, who has guided him since his youth. He also speaks regularly with Abhishek Nayar. He prefers real bowlers over only sidearm throws in nets. More live bowling, he said, improves his movement, rhythm, and clarity at the crease.

He focuses on getting into position quickly before release. That helps him create a smooth flow into each shot. Iyer said he observes AB de Villiers, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli. He tries to mirror their pre-delivery rhythm while still keeping his own method.