A steep learning curve for Sooryavanshi

Just like that, another Twenty20 International series has passed into history. Within a fortnight of squaring a five-match showdown against West Indies 2-2 at home (the final match in Bengaluru was washed out, with just 46 deliveries possible), Shreyas Iyer’s men came away on the right side of a 3-2 scoreline in New Zealand, meaning that in the space of 32 days, starting with the Asian Games matches in Nisshin, India have played 12 T20Is.

That might not appear a lot until one factors in the gruelling timeline that necessitated them to play in Lucknow just three days after retaining their gold medal in Japan, or that their first outing in New Zealand came within five days of the Bengaluru washout after another long journey that took them to Christchurch via Dubai. It has been a manic, whirlwind ride with little scope for ironing out kinks and even lesser windows for recovery. If there is a zombie-like feel to some of the players, it is understandable but while the T20 specialists have some respite, those who are in the One-Day International side, such as Shreyas himself, are in for another crazy haul over the next two weeks.