India’s Iyer backs bowlers to come good, avoid series sweep

Wednesday, 2 December 2020 01:25 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Cricket - Second One Day International - Australia v India - Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia - November 29, 2020 India's Shreyas Iyer walks off dejected after being dismissed off the bowling of Australia's Moises Henriques reuters

Reuters: Batsman Shreyas Iyer backed the India’s bowlers to come good in today’s third and final one-day international against Australia in Canberra in the touring side’s bid to avoid a series sweep.

Australia handsomely beat India in the first two matches of the 50-over format in Sydney, bagging the three-match series with a game to spare.

The hosts’ batsmen posted 374-6 in the first ODI and put the Indian bowlers to the sword once again in the second, amassing 389-4 to set up comfortable victories.

“If you see the amount of workload they have gone through in the IPL (Indian Premier League) playing continuous 14 games and after that coming here, staying in quarantine so definitely plays in your mind,” Iyer told reporters yesterday.

“And it plays with every individual in the team, not just the bowlers. I’m sure they are world-class bowlers and with the mindset they have, they will definitely come back stronger in the next game.

“I really believe in them and the coaches who have been working with them.”

India’s batsmen have relatively fared better, racking up 300-plus totals in both their chases and Iyer said the team were look at the positives from the two defeats.

“Obviously, the bowling wasn’t up to the mark but I’m sure that the bowlers are really positive with their work ethics... we are very much determined to go out there and win the next game and see to it that we don’t have a clean sweep,” Iyer said.

The 25-year-old got into an awkward position while facing a short delivery in the opening match to get out for two but looked better during his knock of 38 in the second.

Australia have looked to target him with short-pitched bowling with close-in fielders around him and Iyer is relishing the challenge.

“I definitely know that they’ve planned against me, so I’m really happy at least they’re coming up with a plan to get me out,” he said.

“I feel very overwhelmed and I take it as a challenge because I thrive under pressure. It really motivates me to go against them.”