India D skipper Shreyas Iyer made an unusual appearance during Day 2 of Match 3 of the 2024 Duleep Trophy in Anantapur, wearing sunglasses under his helmet as he walked out to bat. Known for his stylish persona both on and off the field, Iyer’s decision to sport sunglasses wasn’t just about fashion. The blazing sun on that particular afternoon was likely the main reason behind this unconventional choice, as Iyer aimed to counter the intense glare and improve his visibility while batting.

Despite his unique preparation, Iyer’s innings didn’t pan out as he might have hoped. Expectations were high after scoring a solid 54 runs in his previous match against India C. However, this time around, he lasted just seven deliveries.

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His brief stint at the crease ended when he attempted a drive off a full-pitched delivery, only to send it straight into the hands of 20-year-old Aaquib Khan at mid-on. Khaleel Ahmed was the bowler, and the catch marked his second wicket of the day, leaving Iyer to walk back to the pavilion much earlier than expected.

Duck out aaaga coolers lam potu vandhu mass panriyee nah #ShreyasIyer #DuleepTrophy pic.twitter.com/XWac2UYZnx

— Praveen (@Pravee_03) September 13, 2024

Earlier in the day, India A were bowled out for 290, with Shams Mulani narrowly missing out on his maiden first-class century. Harshit Rana was the standout bowler for India D, securing a four-wicket haul. The match had already seen some early drama, as in the very first over of India D’s innings, Khaleel Ahmed struck again, dismissing left-hander Atharva Taide.

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Taide was caught off guard by a ball that sharply nipped back after he decided to leave it, resulting in a plumb LBW decision. Shreyas Iyer’s sunglasses may have shielded him from the sun, but it wasn’t enough to shield him from a challenging day at the crease.