Team India are taking on the New Zealand team in Kanpur in the first Test of the two-match Test series. And, the debutant Shreyas Iyer has started his Test career with a stunning hundred. With this, he became the 16th Indian to score a hundred in his first innings of a Test match.
However, Iyer scored his maiden hundred when he hit a full delivery from Kyle Jamieson past covers and sprinted back for a couple of runs. Meanwhile, he got the chance as the host is playing without a few of their key players, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Hanuma Vihari in the middle order. He remained unbeaten at 75 on Day 1.
His maiden Test century came off 157 balls which also included 12 fours and two sixes. With that, Iyer became the third Mumbaikar in a row to have scored a debut hundred for India, after Prithvi Shaw (2018) and Rohit Sharma (2013) as well.
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However, everyone started wishing the swashbuckling batsman after he scored the maiden ton.
Injured, Missed out IPL 2021 first half, lost the captaincy in Delhi Capitals, Sri Lanka tour (should have lead the team), was not part of the 15 member squad of T20 World Cup 2021 then to hundred on his Test debut – the journey of Shreyas Iyer in 2021. pic.twitter.com/Qd1hejvEtu
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 26, 2021
Stepping up when the team needed it the most. Half-century for Shreyas Iyer! 👏🏻
A mature and composed innings from the debutant. 🤩#PlayBold #TeamIndia #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/GMVjErp6Ou
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) November 25, 2021
Shreyas Iyer looks all set and focused ahead of his Test Debut 💪🇮🇳
Go strong @ShreyasIyer15 👊#OneFamily #INDvNZ @ICC pic.twitter.com/epwwgoqKZ0
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) November 25, 2021
Delighted for #ShreyasIyer. His talent was never in doubt since we first saw him at that 2014 U19 World Cup. This is proof now that he has the temperament to do it at this level. Keeps the game moving, isn't afraid to play the big shots. Good modern player.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 26, 2021
Maiden Test century in 157 balls by Shreyas Iyer in his debut innings. What a knock, what a batting by Iyer. This has been a terrific display of batting by him, got an opportunity and he fully grabbed it. pic.twitter.com/04HHqhxqh2
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 26, 2021
A magnificent innings under pressure from #ShreyasIyer . Showed great maturity, composure and class and becomes the 16th Indian to Score Century on Test Debut. Well Played @ShreyasIyer15 . Many more to come ! pic.twitter.com/UAu27wcWTH
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) November 26, 2021
Happiness of Rahul Dravid and teammates when Shreyas Iyer completed his Hundred. pic.twitter.com/WWJcX838Gx
— CricketMAN2 (@man4_cricket) November 26, 2021
Shreyas Iyer, what a debut!
From batting an injury to making a comeback and facing all the negativity about your spot in the team.
Should get a chance in SA series as well. pic.twitter.com/waUQtboN41
— Shreyas Sahoo (@shreyas_0502) November 25, 2021
However, Tim Southee claimed a fifer and Kyle Jamieson’s three-wicket haul successfully put a brake on India’s score. They have scored 339 for 8 before lunch on Day 2.
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After the first day’s game, Kyle Jamieson said: “Not a huge amount going on. Found some swing early and it was up and down a little bit. Hardly played the last couple of months. Nice to get back onto the park. Hopefully, the new ball swings a little bit in the morning and we can get them. India fraction ahead I think. We hung around pretty well. Need a good start in the morning.”
