I like to turn a deaf ear to criticism and keep things simple. Ignorance is bliss, says Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer talks to TOI about coping with criticism, honing his skills & how he and Ashwin steered India to safety in Mirpur...Unlike most cricket fans who were navigating through insane Mumbai traffic enroute to the Wankhede to watch the thrilling first T20I between India and Sri Lanka on Tuesday, India's most consistent ODI batter from last year, and the hero of the Test win in Mirpur in December along with R Ashwin, Shreyas Iyer, was busy finding a cricket ground to practise. After an exhausting net session and an arduous drive back to his residence in Parel, Iyer caught up with TOI for a freewheeling chat.Excerpts from an interview:

It feels strange that there is an international match happening in Mumbai today and one of India's young white-ball stars is not featuring in it?It does not feel strange to me, honestly. We have just returned from an exhausting series and a lot of people who played in the Tests in Bangladesh are not there in the T20I team for Sri Lanka. I've been on the run for long and wanted to take some rest and cherish the victory with family and friends. I'm glad to get the opportunity to do it and celebrate New Year's Eve. Now, I am preparing for the ODIS.With the Ranji Trophy match between Mumbai and TN happening at the Brabourne and the T20I game happening at Wankhede, you were forced to train in Thane…Yeah (laughs). There was no other ground to practise. We had some bowlers there. The wicket was not that great, but at least I got a chance to bat.

We are still high on what happened in Mirpur on Christmas Day? Tell us what transpired between you and Ashwin once he walked in?I was already there, but when I saw Axar getting out, I was dejected. I realized how tough things will be. I saw Ashwin walk