Hope Shreyas Iyer makes it a memorable Test, no guarantees for his spot once Virat Kohli returns: VVS Laxman

Shreyas Iyer should make the most of the opportunity he has got in the Kanpur Test as there would be no guarantees for his spot once Virat Kohli returns for the second, former batsman VVS Laxman has said. Iyer, who made his Test debut in the first Test against New Zealand, ended Day 1 unbeaten on 75 and got India into a strong position with Ravindra Jadeja.

Iyer and Jadeja put up an unbeaten partnership of 113 runs for the fifth wicket as India ended the day on 258/4.

“I want him to make it a memorable Test match because once Virat Kohli comes back, there is no guarantee that he will play in the XI. So I hope he plays to his potential and makes it count,” said Laxman on Star Sports.

While Iyer made his international debut in 2017 and is an integral part of the Indian limited overs setup, he had not got his Test cap despite having a first class average of 52.81 and captaining Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy. Iyer was earmarked to be a mainstay in the longest format when he scored 1321 runs in the 2015 Ranji Trophy season.

Mumbai and India batting great Sunil Gavaskar was the one who presented Iyer his Test cap on Thursday.

“What a moment for Shreyas Iyer, receiving his cap from Sunil Gavaskar, a role model he must have had growing up in Mumbai. It’s a huge moment for any representing India in Test matches and wearing that cap I’m sure is a beautiful moment for him,” said Laxman.