India may have endured a torrid run in the recently-concluded tour of the United Kingdom, but T20I captain Shreyas Iyer is confident that the experience in England will hold the side in good stead heading forward, starting with the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe.

For that, however, he believes the key will be to adapt quickly to the conditions and be aware of the requirements.

“Definitely, we had a rough patch in England,” Iyer admitted ahead of the start of the T20I series against Zimbabwe, on Wednesday. “But a lot of positives out of that. We got to know what we have to build as a team going forward, what kind of presence of mind, awareness, and adaptability we need once we step onto the field. This is going to be a great challenge for us. Some of us are playing for the first time, so the quicker we adapt, the better result we would be getting."

The series of losses, he claims, brought the team closer, and he is hopeful that the experience will help them in the long run. “The results didn't go our way [in England and Ireland]. That has brought the team more closer to each other. We've been having a lot of discussions about how we are going to play as a unit, going forward, especially against Zimbabwe right now.

“We've had three series outside of India, and it's a great exposure for us as well, as a team, because you don't get this often. And this is a challenging phase, and the quicker you overcome this phase, the better you get as a team, and you get the results as well eventually.”

Even before India have got the chance to brush aside the pains of the UK tour, they have already found themselves in another continent, in newer conditions, with the challenge to reverse their fortunes, which may not only be a vital test for the leadership group, but also those who have been punted in amidst a stiff competition for places in the side.

Iyer admitted that the frequency of travel and matches is a challenge, but is confident that it would set things alright for the team that has failed to find their rhythm following the T20 World Cup win. “Not going to lie, it is definitely very challenging. Like we came yesterday, and today is practice, and tomorrow is a match again. So it is challenging, but it is fun. And if you give a good performance in this, then definitely, you will be happy with yourself, and you will definitely get praises.

“We have to adapt as soon as possible. Because that's what happened with us in Ireland. We got a sort of a reality check. So here, as soon as we create awareness, and execute things properly, definitely the results will go our way.

“All the youngsters have definitely practised. They have found a decent gap after the T20 series. So they must have rectified where they went wrong. They must have learnt from the last tournament what they can do better. And if they feel something, I can go to the ground and tell them.

It’s been a tough start to his captaincy career so far, having lost each of the six completed games against Ireland and England. One of the key challenges for Iyer, in his new role as the captain of the national team, will be to help the players rid themselves out of the fear of failure in order to get the best out of them.

“I don't think they should fear failure. When you have such thoughts in the back of your mind, then you play to save yourself. When you don't have the thought of fear of failure, then you can get the best out of yourself. I have to convey this message that the talks that are happening outside, what people will say — this series went up and down — we don't have to think much about that. We have to stay in the present day.”

All the three matches of the series, starting on July 23, will be played at the Harare Sports Club.