Shreyas Iyer scores unbeaten half century on Test debut, Rohit Sharma hails ‘good start’ to career

Shreyas Iyer was the standout performer for India on his Test debut as the hosts ended Day 1 of the first match against New Zealand on 258/4 in Kanpir. Iyer was unbeaten on 75 off 136 balls and opener Rohit Sharma, who has been rested for the two-Test series, congratulated his fellow Mumbai cricketer on his performance.

“Good start to the test career @ShreyasIyer15,” said Rohit Sharma. Iyer came in to bat when India were 106/3 after Cheteshwar Pujara was dismissed by Kyle Jamieson in the second session of the day. India went on to lose captain Ajinkya Rahane and Iyer himself was looking unsure in what was his first appearance in a first class match since the Irani Cup in February 2019.

Good start to the test career @ShreyasIyer15 ??

— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) November 25, 2021

However, Iyer and Ravindra Jadeja ended up putting India ahead, first ensuring that they don’t lose any more wickets in the session and then going on to play out the third session. Both players scored half centuries, with Jadeja ending the day on 50 off 100 deliveries and the partnership between the pair was 113 off 208 deliveries at Stumps.

Iyer is the 30th Indian player to score a half-century on Test debut. He had been brought in after opener KL Rahul was ruled out of the series with an injury.

Incidentally, Iyer had emerged as a Mumbai batting star at the same venue 7 years ago. In a make-or-break situation for the then 19-year-old, Iyer, fired up by then Mumbai coach Pravin Amre, rescued his state team from a tough spot on a green track against Uttar Pradesh in a Ranji Trophy fixture. Mumbai were reeling at 56/5, trailing UP’s first innings total of 206 by 150 runs. Iyer walked in, blasted a quickfire 75 to help Mumbai take the lead.