Team India's Shreyas Iyer opens up on how he used magic tricks to start conversation in the UK

Shreyas Iyer (Pic: File Pic)

In a recent episode of the iQOO Quest Talk podcast, Shreyas Iyer opened up about the challenges he faced when he first travelled to the UK to play cricket. "At that point of time, my English wasn't that great. I was reserved as a person and wasn't able to open up to people because of the language barrier," he admitted.

Instead of letting it hold him back, Shreyas found a unique solution, learning magic tricks. "I used magic tricks as an icebreaker or a conversation starter." It helped him connect with people, especially when he didn't have the right words.

That spirit of adaptability has stayed with Shreyas throughout his journey in cricket. From his early days at Shivaji Park Gymkhana under the guidance of coach Pravin Amre, to his breakthrough performances in domestic cricket, Shreyas steadily transformed from a shy boy with a deck of cards into a cricketer who commands respect on the world stage.

Since making his international debut in 2017, he has emerged as a key figure in India's middle order. Whether it was his maiden T20I half-century against Bangladesh in 2019, his explosive knocks in the IPL, or his consistency in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, Shreyas has time and again shown resilience and flair.
On the podcast, he also spoke about the importance of separating self-worth from performance. For him, it comes down to a "do or die" approach. "I am not afraid of anything, you have to give your 100 percent. In difficult situations, if you are aggressive and go without hesitation, things fall into place," he shared.

Shreyas also emphasized the need to block out external expectations and noise by staying rooted in the present. "Try to be in the present. Be completely focused and this is the best way to block all the expectations and noise from the outside world. If you are present, you can get the best out of yourself," he said.

Through his journey, Shreyas Iyer has shown that courage, adaptability, and a fearless mindset can be as crucial as talent in shaping a champion.

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