India’s middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer had a great Test debut in Kanpur, leading India’s batting alongside Ravindra Jadeja and helping his side post 345 runs in their first innings. And, former cricketer VVS Laxman was quite impressed with his grit and determination as well.
Iyer, who has an average of over 52 in first-class cricket, took some time to in the middle before unleashing his strokes. Laxman said that Shreyas Iyer didn’t look reckless despite playing aggressive strokes.
While speaking on Star Sports, he said: “A lot of credit should be given to Shreyas Iyer for the simple fact that the last first-class game he played was almost 2 years back. The toughest challenge for any youngster is to shift the mindset from white-ball to red-ball cricket. He didn’t compromise on any aspect, he went out to play just like he plays for Mumbai or India A.”
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“The way he handled pressure shows his character. He has done that for Delhi Capitals, for India in white-ball cricket. It’s great news for India that a youngster seized the opportunity on his debut. He was not hesitant to play the big shots, his natural game. The way he played against the spinners, he is someone like Rohit Sharma who likes to take the aerial route. There is no harm in doing that even in red-ball cricket, you have to back yourself, you have back your strength and be careful,” he again shared.
Batting at No.5, Shreyas Iyer remained unbeaten on 75 on Day 1 and rescued India with an unbeaten 115-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja as well. Jadeja also scored a fifty. VVS Laxman, however, added that his mental strength was stunning during his first innings in Test cricket as well.
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“Someone like Shreyas Iyer, who likes to play aggressive cricket, those shots can be reckless, sometimes. There is a very fine line between being reckless and being aggressive. I thought he was aggressive. Whenever Jamieson or Southee bowled good deliveries, he respected them.”It’s not that he played only dimensional cricket. More than his skill, his character was on display. He shows his mental toughness,” VVS Laxman concluded.
