IND vs AUS 2nd ODI: 'It was one of my finest innings': Shreyas Iyer

When one has to deal with injuries continuously doubts can creep in but Shreyas Iyer says that it was his courageous belief in his abilities that helped him to bounce back from a lonely phase and score a ton The Asia Cup that India won marked Iyers comeback from a back surgery after six months but a back spasm in the middle of the tournament meant he only got to bat once over the course of two weeksHowever the 14 off nine balls he made in Indias opener against Pakistan gave him a lot of confidence as he desperately waited for another opportunityThe chance finally came in Mohali last week but he got run out Facing competition for a spot in Indias middleorder for the World Cup Iyer finally delivered under pressure in the second ODI against Australia on SundayAlso ReadIND vs AUS 2nd ODI India wipe out Australia in MohaliI was desperate to come back and come back strong I was waiting to convert the starts which I got in the previous games Today I got the opportunity I am grateful said Iyer after a matchwinning 105 off 90 ballsTo be honest I was not doubting my abilities because I knew I was batting brilliantly in the nets also the start I got against Pakistan Just a matter of one innings and I knew it was around the corner thankfully I was able to execute he addedIyer was fully aware of the competition he was up against but despite being in helpless situation that saw him miss the majority of the Asia Cup he managed to stay calmIt was definitely a roller coaster ride I would like to thank myself to be honest For believing in my abilities and mindset at that point of time I was feeling a bit lonely but thanks to my physios my trainers my family they backed me grateful to have them aroundI keep telling myself competition is against me It is about mindset that I maintain especially when the chips are down My mind was fluctuating at times but I was trying to stay away from the outside noise As they say ignorance is bliss so taking one step a time and staying in the present and not thinking about what happened and what will happen in the futureIt was one of my finest inningsConsidering the circumstances Iyer rates his third ODI hundred very highlyIt was one of my finest innings especially coming out of an injury I was eagerly waiting to come back and perform for the team All these game we are getting before the World Cup it is a good platform for us especially me as I have not got a lot of games under my beltHe was all praise for Shubman Gill with whom he forged a 200run stand that enabled India to amass 399 for fiveYes Shubman Gill is in tremendous form lately and the way he is converting his starts is simply phenomenal In the World Cup we will be needing such starts and he is in a great mind space the routines that he has been maintaining throughout travelling and recoverySure Australia are treating these ODI as practice gamesBoth the Indian and Australian team management have been resting key players in the series with an eye on the World Cup India sealed the series on Sunday handing Australia their fifth consecutive loss in their last five ODIsHowever Iyer is not reading too much into Australias form ahead of their World Cup clash in Chennai on October 8We know how the Australian team is The way they plan their stuff I am sure they are playing these games as practice games and they want to build momentum going forwardThey are experimenting ahead of the World Cup and also they are giving chances to players who can get a fair chance to see how the conditions are in IndiaAt the same time they play challenging cricket I am sure they would be planning well in the future games against India and also when I come in to bat We are never going to take them lightly they can hurt you at timesIyer battled with cramps towards the end of his innings but came out to field in Australias inningsI am okay now but I was getting serious cramps I was not able to hold my grip Even the caught and bowled which happened which was overturned by tv umpire as the bowler was not in full control of the catch I just played with the bottom hand My mind was anxious but I told myself to put the beast mode on said Iyer who was dismissed two balls later in the same over from Sean AbbottWith Agency Inputs