India T20 captain Shreyas Iyer on Sunday said his side would prioritise maintaining their internal team standards over fixating on results as they gear up for the Asian Games 2026 men's T20 quarter-final against Afghanistan, scheduled at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan. Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Iyer struck a measured balance — acknowledging the gold-medal imperative that comes with wearing the Indian jersey while urging his squad not to let outcome anxiety cloud their performance.

Gold Medal Pressure Is 'Good Pressure', Says Captain

'Whenever you represent India, you have to have expectations of finishing on top. That is a good pressure as expectations happen when you want to deliver good results. But at the same time, I think we should not think about outcomes — instead, we think about the standard set as a team and try to transcend that in every match,' Shreyas Iyer said.

India enter the quarter-final as defending Asian Games champions, a status Shreyas described as motivation rather than burden. He noted that rising competition across the continent — including a spirited challenge from hosts Japan — is a healthy sign for the sport's growth in Asia.

Pitch Conditions and Adaptability Key Concerns

Shreyas flagged the pitch at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin as a potential equaliser, suggesting the surface may not conform to standard cricket conditions. 'Not just Afghanistan, but all the teams you can see in Asian Games, including Japan, they gave us competition because the wicket here may not be set to a particular standard. But as I said before, adapting here is very important,' he said.

He acknowledged that the challenge cuts both ways: 'It will be challenging for sure and is difficult for each team. So the team which will play well, will definitely win and we will go into the match from that point of view.' This adaptability-first mindset is notable given India's run of matches in Sano and Nagoya that offered limited practice time on local surfaces.

Cricket's Growth in Asia — and India's Role

The captain framed each match in the tournament as a developmental opportunity, not just a competitive fixture. 'Every match is important for us because you get practice from every match and you get opportunities to play against new teams. So, cricket is growing and competition is increasing and it's good for cricket overall,' Iyer said. He also stressed the importance of physical and mental readiness: 'You have to have good fitness and mindset too.'

Pride in Representing India at a Multi-Sport Event

Shreyas expressed deep pride in leading the cricket contingent as part of a broader Indian delegation spanning multiple sports. He singled out 18-year-old squash prodigy Anahat Singh for special mention, revealing the team had intended to attend her gold medal match before training commitments prevented it. 'We were to go for watching it, but we couldn't go due to the practice. But definitely our support is there for each individual who represents the country,' he said.

Iyer also praised Japan's organisation and hospitality, calling Nagoya 'a pretty city' and describing the multi-venue, multi-sport setup as a 'great opportunity for everyone to come and represent their own countries.' With the quarter-final now at hand, all eyes will be on whether India can navigate challenging local conditions and advance towards a second successive Asian Games gold.