IND vs NZ 2021: Shreyas Iyer Becomes First-Ever Indian Batter To Hit Century And Fifty On Test Debut

Indian middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer became the first Indian to score a century and fifty in the debut Test. He achieved the feat against New Zealand in the first of the 2-Test series being held in Kanpur.

Iyer scored a free-flowing 105 in the first innings before digging India out of another hole in the second with another composed 65. His temperament was on display for everyone to see as he worked hard and dug in before making the effort count.

A combined total of 170 runs in two innings also puts him in third place in the list of most runs scored by an Indian in the debut Test. Shikhar Dhawan leads the way with 187 against Australia in Mohali (2012), followed by Rohit Sharma, who scored 177 against West Indies in Kolkata (2013).

Shreyas Iyer’s wicket at the stroke of Tea brings New Zealand back into the game on Day 4

India started the fourth day with a healthy lead of 63 and 9 wickets in hand. However, the Kiwi bowlers wreaked havoc in the first session, ripping through the middle-order in no time. India was struggling at 51/5 with Tim Southee breathing fire from one end.

Ravichandran Ashwin and Shreyas then combined to put on an extremely crucial 52-run stand. Ashwin fell for a well-made 32, but Wriddhiman Saha carried on the repair job and put on another fifty-run stand with Shreyas. At the stroke of Tea, India looked set to go in without further damage, but an unlucky dismissal for Shreyas down the leg side meant that the Kiwis came right back into the game.

At Tea, India was 167/6, having a lead of 216 runs and the tail left to bat.

Also Read – IND vs NZ 2021: Ajinkya Rahane Will Be More Upset That He Didn’t Convert A Start In The First Innings – Wasim Jaffer