'Have to be prepared irrespective of what the situation is going to be': Shreyas Iyer

Nagoya: Refusing to hide behind torrential rain, limited practice, or a disrupted build-up, India captain Shreyas Iyer insists his side will offer no excuses when they clash with Afghanistan in Monday’s Asian Games quarterfinal, emphasising that adaptability is non-negotiable for a professional team.

Relentless downpours over the past two days in Nagoya severely hampered India's preparations for the knockout stage. Their sole recent match practice was a frantic, rain-curtailed five-overs-a-side contest against Japan at the Sano International Cricket Ground, which India scraped through by just two runs.

Despite the tight margin and chaotic preparation, Iyer remains focused solely on execution.

"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," Iyer said on Sunday.

"We got decent time for knocking and warm-up and we got some practice. Tomorrow we will try to adapt to the wicket quickly and see how the weather is. That is secondary. The primary thing is to come and play the match."

Beyond the pitch, the Indian skipper expressed appreciation for the structure and atmosphere of the Multi-Sport Games, noting how the trip provided a unique perspective.

Asked whether he liked the vibe in Nagoya, Iyer said: "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."

Although India enter the quarterfinal fresh off a 3-0 T20I series sweep against Afghanistan, Iyer dismissed any notion of complacency, pointing to the unpredictable conditions as a major equaliser.

"Not just Afghanistan, even Japan gave us good competition the other day," he said. "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."

Navigating the weather has forced India to get creative with their training routines to maintain momentum despite heavy squalls.

"It's not just normal rain, it's a torrential downpour," he said. "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."

Expectations are high—especially with the Indian women's cricket team having already clinched gold at the Games—but Iyer views the surrounding hype as motivation rather than a burden.

"The expectation always remains to finish at the top for India and that is good pressure," he said.

"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."

As cricket builds momentum ahead of its Olympic return, Iyer highlighted the broader significance of competing on this stage and the need for continuous development.

"Every match is important because every match gives us practice," he said. "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."

With a spot in the semifinals on the line against Afghanistan, Iyer's core directive remains clear: block out the weather, ignore the awkward build-up, and let performance speak on the field. (PTI)