With the Delhi Daredevils taking fresh guard with a new name - Delhi Capitals in IPL 2019, Shreyas Iyer wants to make full use of the opportunity of leading the team from the very first match of the tournament and break the jinx of not having won a single title in the last 11 seasons. Iyer was made captain of the Delhi team in the last season of the IPL after Gautam Gambhir stepped down after the franchise played six matches in the tournament.

“What people think it’s impossible at the moment, I want to change that mindset (I want to make it possible) and break that jinx and I think it’s a great opportunity for me to do that,” said Iyer during an event hosted by the Delhi Capitals in New Delhi on Saturday.

Iyer expressed that the members of the team know that the side hasn’t been doing well over the years. He added that the players have to believe in themselves and be consistent in their approach.

“The players know that we haven’t been doing well. So we have to just believe in ourselves and enjoy each other’s success. That’s what makes a team get better and we have to be consistent in our approach and insatiable,” said Iyer.

The 24-year-old batsman made it clear that it won’t be difficult to lead a side with seniors such as Shikhar Dhawan. Iyer added that he is very happy to have Dhawan in their side.

“I’ve played with them and I personally know them very well, so it doesn’t make my job that difficult to go and get the best out of them. I am very well aware of their approach and mindset. Shikhar Dhawan personally is a very funny guy and good to be around. I am really happy that he’s part of the team and I can also learn a lot out of him,” said Iyer.

Incidently, Rohit Sharma was made captain of the Mumbai Indians after Ricky Ponting stepped down from the post in 2013 and since then the Mumbai team and Rohit’s international career has zoomed ahead. Iyer said that he wants to make the use of his opportunity like Rohit Sharma made use of his, six years back.

“Rohit Sharma has been a great inspiration for all the cricketers. We have seen him grow as a player and he’s definitely a character I look up to personally. And he was also given an opportunity to captain Mumbai Indians like I have been given an opportunity and I want to make the best use of it,” said Iyer.

The Delhi team may have finished last in IPL 2018, but their star wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant finished the tournament as the second highest scorer with 684 runs in the competition. Iyer said that all batsmen will have to play around him in this IPL.

“Rishabh Pant is a destructive batsman, we all know that. If he gets going, he’s unstoppable and therefore his role is going to be really important for us. All the other batsmen have to play an anchor innings around him, if he keeps going, then we need to see that we are batting till the end,” said Iyer.

When asked whether he’s thinking about the open number four spot in India’s World Cup squad, Iyer said that he’s currently focussing on the IPL and leading Delhi to victory.

“See I have been doing that for the last few years and currently my focus is on the IPL and winning it. I am not thinking about a World Cup spot, it’s not in my hands. I can only look to perform and the selectors will do their job and I have been doing my job really well in the last three years. I will maintain my stability and be ready for whatever comes my way in the future,” said Iyer.

The 24-year-old added that the national selectors have told him to keep performing consistently.

“The selectors feel that there are some players who are far better than me and that’s not what I think. The selectors have told me to keep doing well and I’ll be getting my chances soon,” said Iyer.

First Published: Mar 17, 2019 19:50 IST