Tough to be patient when you perform and don't get picked: Shreyas Iyer

When you perform consistently, get runs and then don't get into the [senior] team, it runs into your mind. The same thing happened to me two years ago, said Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer smiled wryly when asked about the wait he has to go through to get into the national team despite scoring consistently in domestic cricket and for India 'A'. In fact, he did not hide behind a politically correct answer. "It's really tough to be patient. When you perform consistently, get runs and then don't get into the [senior] team, it runs into your mind. The same thing happened to me two years ago.

"You just need to balance it out a bit. When you go to the top level, face good bowling and then come a level down, your performance keeps fluctuating because you are not in one place consistently. So, you need to keep yourself focused, and as I said, it affects you at times," said Shreyas, who made 65 in India A's draw against South Africa 'A' here yesterday.

Shreyas, 23, has so far played just six ODIs and T20Is each for India, but has something to cheer for though — his captaincy of IPL outfit Delhi Daredevils and India 'A'. The Mumbai lad admitted that the leadership role has left him immensely pleased. "I really love the captaincy role. You have that power to do something on the field and players also like it when they are given an opportunity to do something. Sometimes I get to hear from them as well and appreciate that opportunity. Whenever, I get this role [captaincy] my character and attitude totally changes, and I see to it that I try and get the best out of myself as well as the team in pressure situations."

So, does captaincy change him as a person? "Totally. It changes your attitude. It's enjoyable when people will treat you as someone, who leads a team and look at you with a lot more respect. But you should not misuse that position or abuse that power. One should always respect this game," added the stylish batsman.

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