‘We Haven’t Come Here to Make Excuses’: Shreyas Iyer Backs India to Adapt Quickly to New Zealand Conditions

With limited preparation time, unfamiliar pitches and several players touring New Zealand for the first time, India's captain Shreyas Iyer says his side is focused on winning rather than worrying about the challenges.

By Webfit News | New Zealand | 21 October 2026

India's captain Shreyas Iyer has dismissed concerns about his team's demanding travel schedule and limited preparation time ahead of their cricket series against New Zealand, insisting that the visitors are accustomed to moving between countries and adapting quickly.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Iyer addressed questions about New Zealand's fast-bowling conditions, the challenges facing first-time visitors, competition for places in India's squad and his own position in the batting order.

His message was consistent throughout: preparation matters, but India will not use unfamiliar conditions or a busy schedule as excuses.

The Indian captain acknowledged that New Zealand's pitches could favour fast bowlers and that the home side would have an advantage in understanding local conditions. However, he maintained that both teams would have an equal opportunity once play began.

From International Travel to Match Day: India's Relentless Schedule

India's preparations have come under scrutiny because of the team's packed playing and travel schedule.

Asked how the players were coping with the quick turnaround, Iyer pointed to previous occasions when India had moved directly between international assignments.

He recalled the team's experience of travelling to Ireland following an Afghanistan series, saying such transitions had become part of modern international cricket.

While acknowledging the demands of constant travel, he described the opportunity to play in different conditions as enjoyable.

For Iyer, the priority is not to dwell on the difficulties but to concentrate on finding a way to win.

He said that was the conversation taking place within India's dressing room.

The captain also indicated that the squad had received a motivational boost ahead of the series.

Eight or Nine Players Facing New Zealand Conditions for the First Time

One of the significant challenges facing the visitors is that several members of the squad have never previously toured New Zealand.

A journalist put it to Iyer that approximately eight or nine players were visiting the country for the first time, raising questions about how quickly they could adjust to unfamiliar grounds, weather and playing surfaces.

Iyer acknowledged that New Zealand conditions generally favour fast bowling.

However, he cautioned against assuming every pitch would behave in the same way.

Having played in New Zealand before, he said the conditions were not completely unfamiliar to him.

He also referred to India's recent experience in England, where pitches had presented their own demands.

The captain stressed that no player could know exactly how a particular wicket would behave until they had assessed it.

His expectation was that a productive practice session would help each player develop a clearer understanding of the conditions and formulate an individual plan.

For India's newer players, the challenge will be to make those adjustments quickly rather than relying on previous experience in different countries.

Why Bhuvneshwar Kumar's Experience Could Matter

Iyer also welcomed the experience that Bhuvneshwar Kumar brings to the squad.

Asked about the bowler's return, the captain said India's bowling group had included several newer players following the Indian Premier League.

Bhuvneshwar's experience, he suggested, could provide valuable support in a format where decision-making and execution under pressure are crucial.

Iyer pointed to the bowler's recent T20 experience and success in the IPL as reasons he understood how to perform effectively in the shortest international format.

His comments were particularly relevant given the potential assistance for seam bowling in New Zealand.

An experienced bowler who understands changing match situations could offer an additional resource as India assess how best to use their attack.

Too Many Selection Options? Iyer Calls It a ‘Sweet Headache’

Competition for places in India's squad was another prominent subject during the press conference.

With several players capable of filling similar roles, questions were raised about whether having so many alternatives created additional pressure.

Iyer viewed the situation positively.

He described the competition as a "sweet headache", explaining that strong backup options encouraged players in the current squad to perform consistently.

In his view, competition should motivate individuals rather than distract them.

The ultimate objective, he emphasised, was winning matches for India.

That approach suggests the captain sees squad depth as a strength, even when it creates difficult selection decisions.

‘I Can Bat at Any Number’: Captain Rejects Fixed Batting Position

Iyer was also questioned about his preferred position in India's batting order.

Having played at different positions, including No. 3 and No. 4, he was asked whether he would prefer to move higher up the order to maximise his run-scoring opportunities.

His response was centred on flexibility.

Iyer said players needed to adapt to what the team required in a particular match situation rather than insist on a preferred position.

He expressed confidence in his ability to bat at any number, depending on the circumstances.

The captain also noted that India's batting line-up contains players with different strengths and that not everyone is equally suited to batting lower down the order.

That makes flexibility particularly important when constructing a balanced team.

He referred to Ishan Kishan's performances at No. 3 as an example of why he did not see a need to push himself higher in the order.

For Iyer, the team's requirements come before individual preferences.

Young Talent Must Be Patient, Says Iyer

The captain was also asked about opportunities for a highly regarded young player in the squad.

Although the question is partly unclear in the available transcript, Iyer's response emphasised the importance of keeping young talent confident and involved.

He said talented young players should remain happy within the dressing-room environment and recognised that opportunities would come with time.

At the same time, he noted that India's established opening batters had been performing consistently.

He suggested that being selected for an overseas tour could still be a valuable learning experience, even if a young player did not immediately secure a place in the starting line-up.

Exposure to unfamiliar pitches and international environments could help prepare emerging players for future opportunities.

Iyer also highlighted the value of those players sharing what they learned with other youngsters who might tour New Zealand later.

The comments offer an insight into how the captain views player development: international experience is not limited to time spent in the middle.

Does New Zealand Have the Home Advantage?

Iyer was asked whether New Zealand's familiarity with local conditions could make the difference.

He acknowledged that the BLACKCAPS would naturally understand their own grounds and the behaviour of different wickets better than the visiting side.

However, he did not believe that familiarity alone would determine the result.

He pointed to India's recent match experience and the camaraderie within the squad as important strengths.

Once the teams stepped onto the field, he said, the competition would be equal.

His assessment was straightforward: the team that played the better cricket on the day would win.

It was a measured response that recognised New Zealand's home advantage without treating it as an insurmountable obstacle.

Limited Practice, Little Sleep — But No Complaints

One of the final questions returned to India's arrival schedule.

The captain was asked whether the greatest challenge would be the weather, adapting to local conditions, understanding the pitches or having only one practice session before the match.

Iyer refused to identify any of those factors as a major concern.

He explained that India had become accustomed to continuous international travel and competition.

Referring to the team's movement between Japan, India and New Zealand, he said the pattern of travelling and playing had become familiar.

He acknowledged that players were getting less sleep than ideal.

Nevertheless, he believed that the opportunity to play more matches would ultimately benefit the team.

His comments underlined a broader message from the press conference: India intend to approach the New Zealand series with confidence rather than focus on the difficulties surrounding their preparation.

A Test of Adaptability, Not Just Talent

The upcoming contest presents India with several challenges.

New Zealand's pitches may reward seam movement and disciplined fast bowling. Some Indian players are unfamiliar with the conditions, while a demanding international schedule has reduced the time available to prepare.

At the same time, India arrive with experienced players, emerging talent and significant competition for places.

Iyer's responses suggest that flexibility will be central to the team's approach.

Batters may need to adjust their roles. Bowlers will need to assess the conditions quickly. Young players will have to learn from limited opportunities, and experienced members of the squad will be expected to provide guidance.

For New Zealand, the advantage lies in understanding home conditions and making the most of them.

For India, the task is to adapt quickly enough to prevent that advantage from becoming decisive.

Ultimately, Iyer's message was simple: travel, preparation time and unfamiliar pitches will not be the focus once the match begins. Performance will.

Source and Acknowledgements

Source: Shreyas Iyer pre-match press conference, video transcript supplied to Webfit News.

Photographs: New Zealand Cricket, where supplied and used with appropriate credit.