Photo via Hindustan Times

Shreyas Iyer opens up on playing in the Asian Games for the first time: 'We want to come back triumphant'

India is gearing up for a three-game T20I clash opposite Afghanistan commencing Sunday, September 13, serving as crucial tune-up action before the squad travels to Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, for the 2026 Asian Games. Shreyas Iyer is set to helm the national side at a premier competition for the first time in his career, with the group aiming to reclaim the gold medal secured during the 2022 edition.

India's continental campaign will kick off at the quarter-final stage on September 28, where they are scheduled to meet hosts Japan in an unprecedented encounter.

Speaking ahead of the series opener in New Delhi on September 12, Iyer conveyed immense excitement about competing in his debut Asian Games and the unique privilege of mingling with and supporting fellow Indian athletes from diverse Olympic disciplines. Despite his ambition to bring home top honors, the skipper underscored the necessity of staying grounded in the present rather than looking too far into the distance.