New Delhi: Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer How relentless criticism of his struggles against short-pitch deliveries became the driving force behind a dramatic change in his batting style during the IPL 2026 season.Speaking on JioStar, Iyer admitted that doubts about his ability to handle the short ball “triggered” a change in both mentality and preparation. “People said that I will never solve my short ball problem,” he said. It motivated me, I wanted to prove them wrong by doing well. So I worked hard on it.Go beyond limits with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!The 31-year-old revealed that his approach to short-pitch bowling has been completely changed. “Before, I would just take one or try to keep the ball down. But now my thinking has changed. “If I see a short ball in my zone, I’m going to hit it for a six,” explained Iyer, indicating a more aggressive and decisive intent.This change has been evident in Punjab’s dominant runs this season, with Air’s better control against pace playing a key role in the team’s unbeaten run. The team recently created history by chasing down 265 runs against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium – the most successful chase in T20 history.Strenuous exercise and mental rehabilitationIyer credited mentors like Parveen Amre and Abhishek Nair for helping him improve his technique, but stressed that hard work at the nets made the biggest difference.“During my batting practice, I try to play around 50 overs and face more than 300 balls. It helps me understand what works for me,” he said, adding that facing real bowlers instead of relying solely on throwdowns improved his clarity. “The more bowlers I face, the clearer my movement becomes. I focus on creating a rhythm.”Like drawing inspiration from great people AB de Villiers, Rohit Sharma And Virat KohliIyer emphasized the importance of balance and timing. “Before the bowler delivers, I try to get into position quickly. It creates a flow,” he noted.‘I have to prove them wrong’Beyond technique, Iyer highlights the role of mental resilience in overcoming setbacks and criticism. “There are people around me who say you can’t do it. I don’t like hearing that… I decide I have to prove them wrong,” he said.Reflecting on his return from injury, he added, “Some people said I would never be the same again. I asked myself, why can’t I be? It’s the way you frame your mindset that matters.”
