New Delhi, September 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India T20I captain Shreyas Iyer sees the upcoming Asian Games as an opportunity for the team to adapt to unfamiliar conditions, build greater cohesion and carry forward the momentum from their 3-0 series victory over Afghanistan.
The Indian team, led by Iyer, is scheduled to leave for Japan on an early morning flight on Sunday. Before beginning their Asian Games campaign in Aichi-Nagoya, India will play a one-off T20I against Japan.
For Iyer, the Asian Games will be a new experience, with adapting to the conditions in Japan among his immediate priorities.
“Regarding Asian Games, this is going to be my first time. So, I am looking forward to going there and firstly to get used to the conditions because we have never been there before,” Iyer said in a video posted on the BCCI’s social media accounts on Saturday.
He added that understanding the wickets and developing greater team understanding would be crucial, describing the Afghanistan series as an important source of momentum ahead of the continental event.
Reflecting on the 3-0 series win, Iyer praised Afghanistan’s competitive approach and their determination on the field. He also credited the Indian squad for taking responsibility and maintaining an attacking mindset throughout the series.
“The approach itself was optimistic. When we stepped onto the field, we wanted to set a rhythm for ourselves going into the tournament,” Iyer said, adding that the team’s dominant approach in the opening game continued through the second and third matches.
Iyer also singled out opener Abhishek Sharma for praise after his explosive performances throughout the series. Sharma smashed a record 30-ball century in the third match on Thursday.
Iyer said Sharma was familiar with the Delhi conditions and had been expected to produce big scores, adding that he was pleased with the opener’s performances across the series.
The captain also attributed India’s consistency to the atmosphere within the dressing room, saying contributions from both playing and non-playing members were important.
“We have decided that we are going to set a standard for ourselves and every game you see, we keep getting better,” Iyer said.
He added that the energy within the dressing room translated into performances and results on the field.
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