'Depressing, not embarrassing': Shreyas backs India to bounce back after the Ireland defeat

India captain Shreyas Iyer has backed his side to bounce back strongly against England, insisting the team has moved on from a "depressing" 2-0 T20I series defeat in Ireland. Speaking ahead of the series opener at Chester-le-Street, the skipper struck a defiant but honest tone, framing the shock loss as a painful learning experience rather than a source of embarrassment.

With the reigning world champions eager to reset, Iyer was clear that the five-match series against England represents a fresh start — and a very different challenge from the one that undid them in Belfast.

'Depressing, but not embarrassing'

Iyer did not shy away from the disappointment of the result, but was careful in how he characterised it. He said the defeat was not embarrassing, but it was certainly depressing for the group, because they had not expected Ireland to play as well as they did.

He was generous in his praise of the hosts, acknowledging that Ireland had outplayed India in every department. In his assessment, the opposition had brilliant ideas about the dimensions of the ground, while India fell short in analysing and planning for the conditions and how the surface would play.

Owning the shortcomings

Rather than making excuses, the captain accepted that India had been comprehensively beaten and had lessons to absorb. He credited Ireland's professionalism and outstanding fieldwork, describing their performance as a deserved and comprehensive triumph.

It was a candid admission from a leader enduring a tough personal start to his T20I captaincy tenure, having managed only a handful of runs across the two games in Belfast. But Iyer's message was one of accountability and a determination to improve quickly.

A 'completely new chapter'

Looking ahead, Iyer was optimistic about the switch in conditions and opposition. He described the England series as a completely new chapter for the team, one he was relishing despite the setback.

Crucially, he pointed to the squad's familiarity with English conditions as a potential advantage. A number of the players have featured in England before, he noted, and understand the conditions, the ideas and the ground dimensions — knowledge India will hope translates into a swift return to form.

Backing the World Cup winners

Iyer also underlined the importance of showing faith in his experienced players during a difficult period. He stressed the need to build opportunity and security so that each individual carries confidence into major tournaments.

The players who won the last World Cup, he argued, clearly understand how to play the T20 format and have consistently been the main pillars of the side. Backing them, in his view, remains essential even after a rare stumble.

Confident in his own form

Despite his lean returns in Ireland, the skipper expressed belief in his own batting. He said he had been timing the ball beautifully in the nets and even in the match, with only the odd delivery misbehaving to bring about his dismissal.

Leading from the front will be high on his agenda against an experienced England attack, and a captain's innings would go a long way towards steadying the ship at the top of a demanding series.

The Sooryavanshi question

As ever, the possibility of a debut for 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi hovered over the press conference. Iyer, however, remained tight-lipped on the teenager's prospects, keeping India's plans firmly under wraps.

The balance between rewarding emerging talent and maintaining stability is one the management continues to weigh, and whether Sooryavanshi finally earns his first cap in this series remains one of the tour's most intriguing subplots.

The final word

Iyer's words set the tone for an India side desperate to make amends. There was no denial of the pain of the Ireland defeat, but equally a clear conviction that the group has the quality and know-how to respond. With familiar conditions and a fresh challenge ahead, India will aim to turn a depressing chapter into the launchpad for a strong series in England.