Rajkot, Jan 14 (NationPress) Indian cricketer Shreyas Iyer shared that he only grasped the seriousness of his spleen injury, which he sustained during the third ODI against Australia, after being hospitalized. He characterized the experience as ‘excruciatingly painful’.

Following this injury, Iyer made a commendable comeback by scoring 49 runs in India’s ODI series opener against New Zealand in Vadodara. “The pain was intense, excruciatingly painful. I didn’t comprehend the severity of the injury until I learned that the spleen is a vital organ in our body,” Iyer remarked.

“The following day, after being admitted to the hospital, I realized, ‘Wow, okay, this was a severe injury.’ Yes, that was the day I learned what the word spleen meant,” Iyer stated during an interaction with broadcasters before the second ODI at Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot.

Iyer explained that the recovery phase compelled him to slow down and contemplate. “This process made me understand the necessity of giving myself adequate time to avoid over-exertion. I am someone who finds it challenging to stay still; I always want to engage in some activity.

“However, this injury particularly allowed me time for introspection, rejuvenation, and relaxation, as it's not possible to just rise and start working out immediately,” he added.

“I was advised that it would take six to eight weeks before I could return to my usual routine, and I adhered to the guidelines provided to me, making the recovery process much smoother,” he elaborated.

When questioned about his approach to hitting big shots since his return, Iyer clarified that it was more about instinct than strategy. “Honestly, I’m not trying to impose any plan. It’s purely instinct. The more I practice in the nets, the easier it becomes in matches. In the nets, I don't specifically decide to target a certain area or challenge the bowlers; I prefer to stay present in the moment.”

“In the previous game, I had the mindset to focus on singles, which made my body react slowly. I’m aiming to avoid that mental state moving forward,” he mentioned.

Regarding his interactions with the legendary Virat Kohli, Iyer noted that their focus is on maintaining a present mindset and accumulating totals that instill confidence in the bowlers. “Our communication is often light-hearted. We discuss our strategies against bowlers while staying present,” he explained.

“We don't aim to go hard from the first ball; rather, we allow ourselves some time. In today's game, with scores around 300, it's quite achievable.” He added, “It's crucial to set a target that gives the bowlers confidence, aiming to secure the match as swiftly as possible. Maintaining a positive mindset is essential, especially for the bowlers,” he concluded.