Hope I Can Do Justice To The Team India Test Cap: Shreyas Iyer On His Test Debut For India

India batter Shreyas Iyer made a bumper debut for India in Test matches as he scored a brilliant century and a half-century against New Zealand at Kanpur in the recent series at home. It was a dream come true for the Mumbaikar, who had made his India white-ball debut in 2017.

He got a chance to debut in the Test matches after Rohit Sharma was ruled out of the series due to injury and Iyer made sure he took full advantage of the opportunity, hitting 105 and 65, becoming the third Mumbai batter to score a century on his Test debut after Pravin Amre in 1992 and Rohit Sharma in 2013.

After becoming the first Indian batter to smash a century and 50-plus score on Test debut, the swashbuckling batter is now gearing up for the high-profile Test series between India and hosts South Africa.

Shreyas Iyer shared his feeling on getting his Test cap in an interview with Timesnownews.com and recalled his dream Test debut against Kane Williamson’s New Zealand.

“I believe that for a professional cricketer five-day cricket is the ultimate test. You learn how to grind it out ball after ball, trusting your temperament and technique. I have always wanted to play test cricket for India and I’m grateful that I got the opportunity to don the whites. I hope I can do justice to the team India test cap,” he said.

“Honestly, I did not go in to bat with any expectation or target. I am just glad that I could contribute to the team,” he added when asked if his Test debut went better than what he had expected.

I Just Want To Do Justice To My Talent: Shreyas Iyer On Fulfilling Expectations Of Coming From Mumbai

Shreyas Iyer has quite an impressive resume in First Class and List-A cricket. In 56 FC matches, he has 4794 runs with 13 centuries and 24 fifties to his name at an average of 52.10 and the highest score of 202*. In 104 List-A games, he has 3976 runs with 8 centuries and 25 fifties with the best score of 148 and an average of 44.67.

He has also shown some great leadership qualities, having captained Mumbai in Ranji Trophy, India A on various tours, and Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and is seen as one of the members of the leadership group of Team India going forward.

During the interview, he was asked if he felt like he had to live up to the legacy of coming from Mumbai, a city that has produced several great cricketers for India.

“They are legends of the game and their contribution to Indian cricket and the sport at large is unmatchable. They are great sources of inspiration and I have personally benefitted greatly from their guidance. The idea that we should enjoy our game and that I needed to stay on the front foot are pieces of advice that have stayed with me. On my part, I just want to do justice to my talent and the faith vested in me by the team management, selectors and fans,” Iyer said.

Iyer is expected to be seen in action in the upcoming three-Test series against South Africa which begins with the first match in Centurion on December 26.

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