IND vs NZ 2021: Somebody Will Go Out For The Second Test But That Won't Be Shreyas Iyer - Aakash Chopra

Former India opener Aakash Chopra heaped rich praises on Shreyas Iyer, who had a record-breaking Test debut against New Zealand in Kanpur.

Iyer became the first Indian to score a hundred and a fifty on debut as he followed up his first-innings century with 65 in the second innings on Sunday.

Aakash Chopra lauded the Mumbai batsman for his terrific show with the bat.

“The only Indian to score and century and fifty in a Test match on debut. The first innings was brilliant because there were nerves but the pitch was a little better. Nobody had seen what he was bringing to the table in the longer format,” Aakash Chopra told Star Sports.

The commentator opined that Iyer’s second-innings knock on Day 4 of the Test was even more satisfying than his century. He pointed out that conditions in the first two days were better to bat than in on Day 4 and that his fifty in the second innings came when the team was in trouble after the Kiwi bowlers had struck in the first session.

“The second innings, in my opinion, is far more challenging and therefore far more satisfying. These 65 runs he has scored came under enormous pressure because if he had gotten out in the first innings, India would have batted again anyways.

“Test match, like life, gives you the second opportunity but not when you are batting for the second time. If Shreyas Iyer had been dismissed in that point of time in the second innings, this was game, set, and match in favour of New Zealand,” he explained.

Now it’s almost impossible to ignore him, drop him for the next Test match: Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra is confident that with the performance in Kanpur, Iyer has sealed his spot in the eleven for the second Test in Mumbai when India will welcome back Virat Kohli.

“So, him being there and dominating with regards to how he played the spinners, now it’s almost impossible to ignore him, drop him for the next Test match no matter who is coming in. Somebody will go out but that guy won’t be Shreyas Iyer,” the 44-year-old commented.

The scanner is on senior batters Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara, both of whom are struggling for a big score.

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