‘It’s frustrating…’ – Shreyas Iyer on how he dealt with Asia Cup or BCCI contract snub

Shreyas Iyer has opened up about how he deals with rejections. Despite making his debut in 2017, the 30-year-old has played just 135 matches for Team India. And as of now, he’s just a regular in ODI cricket. Shreyas hasn’t represented India in Test cricket since February 2024, while his last T20I came in December 2023.

But that hasn’t been all. Back in 2024, his central contract was cancelled. Shreyas had refused to play domestic cricket for Mumbai due to a back injury that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) medical staff claimed didn’t exist. While trying to teach everyone else a lesson, the BCCI axed Shreyas from the contracts.

How Shreyas Iyer deals with disappointments

Such trials and tribulations have taught him a great deal. He says that he’d stopped caring about what others think and just works on himself. His aim is simple: keep on working on himself.

“Stop giving a sh*t about what people think about you. Period. Once you have that mindset, you will keep working on yourself. I keep learning every day. I feel that you are never perfect as an individual, so keep learning, and knowledge is eternal. I always look forward to transcending beyond my abilities and learning every single day,” Shreyas said on IQOO India’s ‘The Quest Talk’ podcast.

After that, Shreyas was also released by the Kolkata Knight Riders despite leading them to an Indian Premier League (IPL) title after 10 years. He rose again by taking Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 Final but wasn’t rewarded for his efforts, as Shreyas wasn’t included in India’s squad for the Asia Cup.

“There have been phases in my life. It’s not like I went straight and started thinking like this, but obviously, there have been rejections. There have been failures. There have been ups and downs. Life has been like a roller coaster ride. So, through all these, I’ve learnt so much,” he further added.

On non-selection

Working on himself is the mantra that he follows to overcome these disappointments. Putting in the hard yards. Luckily for him, he’s got a chance to return to India’s Test team, as the BCCI has named him captain of the India A side for the upcoming series against Australia A.

“It is frustrating when you know that you deserve to be in the team and the playing XI. But at the same time, when someone is performing and playing consistently for the team and bringing their best, you support them. The goal is for the team to win. When the team is winning, everyone is happy. If you don’t get the chance, you have to see to it that you do your work ethically. It’s not like you only work hard when the eyeballs are on you. Even when no one is watching, you have to keep putting in the work,” said Shreyas.

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