Captain Shreyas Iyer Thanks Interim Coach VVS Laxman After Zimbabwe T20I Series Sweep

Shreyas Iyer found VVS Laxman's guidance motivating, while Laxman was impressed by the young batter's infectious confidence as India's T20 skipper and temporary head coach praised each other's contributions to the 3-0 victory over Zimbabwe. A very new-look India, without numerous regular stalwarts including as Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana, pounded the host team and easily won the series, winning by 35 runs in the third and final T20I on Sunday.

In a video released by the BCCI, both coach and captain were absolutely complimentary of each other.

"I would like to specially congratulate Shreyas because he had a rough start to his captaincy career but the way he came back, right from the first day when he joined us one day before the first game, he was very optimistic," Laxman said, referring to the 0-4 loss to England earlier this month, which was Iyer's first as India's T20 captain.

"It's a new group of players. We know that only four or five of those who were there in England joined us on this tour. But he was so confident and a lot of credit for this victory should be given to the captain, the way he encouraged each one of you," he added.

Captain Iyer thanked VVS for filling in as the regular head coach Gautam Gambhir took a break after a disappointing series loss against England and Ireland.

"I think we were flawless, honestly speaking, throughout the series barring the catches that we dropped. It was a phenomenal effort by everyone in the team, including the support staff.

"Thank you VVS sir for motivating us and inspiring us. Each and every day when we stepped onto the field, I think everything that you mentioned was apt and we could relate to it. So, thank you so much," he said.

Laxman is the head of the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and serves as interim coach on short tours as and when required.