India pacer Yash Thakur has lauded Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy, describing him as “a bowler’s captain” who empowers his bowlers by trusting their instincts and involving them in tactical decisions during the ongoing T20I series against Zimbabwe.
Having already played under Iyer in the Indian Premier League, Thakur said their existing understanding has made his transition into the Indian setup seamless, with the skipper knowing exactly how to maximise his strengths.
“Captain Shreyas Iyer knows my strengths well. He understands which phases of the game I am most effective in, whether it’s the powerplay, the middle overs, or the death. He knows where I can contribute the most to help the team win,” Thakur told JioStar.
IPL partnership helps build trust in Team India
Thakur said the relationship he built with Iyer during their IPL stint has carried over to the national team, giving him added confidence.
“That mutual understanding developed during the IPL when I spent time with him and discussed plans. I feel very fortunate because I have played under Shreyas bhai in the IPL, and now I will be playing under his captaincy in the Indian team as well. That continuity helps build a great bond,” he said.
The fast bowler added that a captain’s trust has a significant impact on a player’s confidence.
“When your captain trusts your abilities, it gives you a lot of confidence on the field,” he said.
Explaining what sets Iyer apart as a leader, Thakur highlighted the skipper’s calm demeanour and collaborative approach, even in pressure situations.
“In my view, he is extremely calm. Whether we are giving away runs, bowling well, or having an off day with the ball, he never loses his composure. He stays calm even in high-pressure situations,” he said.
Rather than imposing plans, Iyer first seeks the bowlers’ opinions before sharing his own tactical inputs, according to Thakur.
“He always comes directly to the bowlers and asks, ‘What is your plan? What do you think is the best option here?’ He doesn’t impose his ideas. He listens first and then gives his input. That makes a huge difference.”
Summing up his experience under the India captain, Thakur said Iyer’s faith in his bowlers makes him stand out.
“I would describe him as a bowler’s captain. He trusts his bowlers completely and gives them the freedom to execute their plans,” he added.