When the Delhi Daredevils look back on their VIVO IPL 2017 campaign, they will be disappointed to have two totals of under 70. They were bowled out for 66 at home against MI and could manage only 67 against KXIP in Mohali. The two performances highlight batting woes, but it would be incorrect to say the batting unit hasn’t fired; DD have posted two totals in excess of 200 and on Thursday, they chased 196 with Gujarat Lions on the receiving end once again. Earlier in the tournament, a 143-run stand between Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant had caused the damage and in Kanpur, the protagonist was Shreyas Iyer.

Like Pant (97), Iyer (96 off 57) too missed out on a hundred and faltered within an arm’s length of the finish line. When he was dismissed, DD still needed seven runs and it was Amit Mishra, who struck two boundaries off consecutive balls that prompted the usually calm Rahul Dravid to pump his fist in delight.

If Pant was on fire in Delhi, Iyer was ice-cool and anchored the chase despite the regular fall of wickets.

Iyer, who registered his top T20 score,interacted with Mishra for iplt20.com.

Amit Mishra: When you walked out to bat what was your plan as we had lost two wickets cheaply?

Shreyas Iyer: This season we have been losing wickets early and for this particular match, I had decided that I am going to bat through the Powerplay overs. I had set plans for every two overs. I was not looking at my score at all. When we started losing more wickets, I had no other option but to stay till the end.

Mishra: When you were batting, Marlon Samuels and Corey Anderson were run-out and the responsibility fell on your shoulders.

Iyer:To be frank, I was involved in both of them. I knew this game was going to be different. I was able to find gaps and time my shots really well. I was able to execute my plans well and we were able to win thanks to the two crucial boundaries that you hit in the final over.

Mishra: From the dugout, I could feel that you were very confident in the middle. You had to miss some matches for DD at the start of the season. What was going through your mind when you missed those matches.

Iyer: I was suffering from chickenpox and I could not do anything about it. I knew that my hard work and the smart work that I had done off the field will be help me on the field when I return. I gained confidence from the two starts I got even though I could not get big scores.

Mishra: Now that we have two more games left, what should be our goal?

Iyer: We must believe that we can defend any total that we put up. We have seen that we chased 200 plus scores twice. If one player does not perform, someone else steps up and does the job. As far as improvement is concerned, we can improve everyday. We must believe in each other and end the season on a good note.

Mishra: It is good to see a youngster like you performing. There are many youngsters watching and playing. What is your message to fellow youngsters?

Iyer: You must backyourself all the time. In a format like T20s, you can chase any total. What I have realized playing this format is that you can cover up later even if you have consumed a few dot balls early. The mantra to succeed is to keep believing in yourself and keep backing yourself.

Iyer: Mishy bhai, I have always observed that you flight the ball, get hit and still flight the next ball.Tell me how did u gain this confidence?

Mishra: Right from the start, I've been a wicket-taking bowler. That is what everyone has told me. My strength is to beat the batsman by flighting the ball. Like you said that we must back ourselves, I back myself to flight the ball, deceive the batsman in the air and take his wicket and help my team.

Iyer: We could win the match thanks to your two boundaries.

Mishra: Yes, those were two crucial boundaries. I thought to myself that I have a very good opportunity to help my team win and I am glad I could do that.