Exciting time: Shreyas Iyer looks forward to Asian Games experience

Shreyas Iyer is excited about experiencing his first Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, with the India T20I captain eager to interact with athletes from different sports and understand what drives them at the highest level.

In Short

• India face Japan before opening their Asian Games campaign on September 28
• Shreyas Iyer is keen to meet top athletes and understand their elite mindset
• Shreyas Iyer said sharing space with Olympians would be memorable

India T20I captain Shreyas Iyer is eager to experience his first Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya and interact with the country's top athletes, saying he wants to understand what drives them at the highest level.

India will face Japan in a historic one-off T20I before beginning their Asian Games campaign on September 28. Iyer said sharing the event with hockey players, Olympians and athletes from other disciplines would make it a memorable experience.

"Definitely an exciting time for me and also for the team because it is going to be my first time and there are a couple of players who have already been in the Asian Games. So, yeah, exciting time," Iyer said.

He is also looking forward to India's meeting with Japan, which will precede the start of their Asian Games campaign. "Our first match we are going to play against Japan. So, that is going to be a historic one. And sharing relationship with the hockey players and other Olympic players who would be there, athletes who would be there along with us, definitely would be a great interaction," he said.

Iyer said he would be keen to interact with athletes from different sports, learn about their mindset and cheer for them during their events.

"I would be eagerly waiting to go there and interact with them and know what their mindset is. Probably go to one of the games and cheer for them as well," he said.

"So, yes, we are going as a whole nation and definitely we want to see to it that we come back triumphant."

With the Asian Games still ahead, Iyer insisted India are focused on the immediate challenge against Afghanistan.

"We are thinking about the first game. We know that Afghanistan is a nice team and our preparation has also been promising for the last couple of days," he said.

"Leading up to Asian Games, we have got a great opportunity to play against a very quality side. So, looking for a great competition. And yes, fingers crossed, we will deliver to the best of our abilities," Iyer added.

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