Former India player and analyst Aakash Chopra lauded Shreyas Iyer ‘s performance in the Kanpur Test. He stated that India may make a couple of changes to their lineup for the upcoming Test match, but the batsman is uncertain to be axed. He also believes that Iyer’s performance has established his spot in the team and that he will play in the next Test.
Iyer made an outstanding Test debut, smashing a hundred in the 1st innings. He then proceeded by smashing a half-century in India’s 2nd innings. Chopra believes that if Iyer had been removed, the match would have favoured the Blackcaps.
“If Shreyas Iyer had been dismissed in that point of time in the second innings, this was game, set, and match in favor of New Zealand“.
“So, him being there and dominating with regards to how he played against the spinners, now it’s almost impossible to ignore him or drop him for the next Test match, no matter who is coming in. Somebody will go out but that guy won’t be,” Chopra said.
Nobody had seen what Iyer is bringing to the table in the longer format: Chopra
Despite Iyer’s century thrilled the cricketing world, it was his half-century in a crucial scenario that drew the most attention. India dropped quick wickets, and it was at this point that Iyer put together key partnerships and amassed 65 runs. As a result, Chopra believes that the batter’s effort in the 2nd innings was significantly more difficult.
“The only Indian (Shreyas Iyer) to score and century and fifty in a Test match on debut. The first innings were brilliant because there were nerves but the pitch was a little better to bat. Nobody had seen what he was bringing to the table in the longer format. But, the second innings, in my opinion, is far more challenging and therefore far more satisfying,” he said.
“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 anyway. Test match, like life, gives you the second opportunity but not when you are batting for the second time.”
