India vs New Zealand: Shreyas Iyer creates history, becomes 1st Indian to hit hundred and fifty on Test debut

26-year-old Shreyas Iyer scripted history on Sunday as he became the first Indian batter to hit a hundred and follow it up with a fifty in his Test debut. Iyer showcased his mental strength and character as he bailed India out of trouble in both the innings of the 1st Test between India and New Zealand in Kanpur.

Shreyas Iyer scored the bulk of the runs in India’s 2nd innings after they were reeling at 51/5 on Sunday morning, losing their big guns, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ravindra Jadeja cheaply. Iyer played the situation wonderfully well as he resisted New Zealand’s charge as he stitched a 52-run stand with R Ashwin and followed it up with another fifty-plus stand with wicketkeeper-batsman Widdhiman Saha.

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Iyer has become the 10th baiter overall in men’s international cricket to hit a hundred and a fifty on Test debut. Iyer also became the third Indian after Sunil Gavaskar and Dilawar Hussain to hit two fifty-plus scores on Test debut.

Iyer played a top knock and helped India stretch their lead past 200. He was looking to cut loose after his fifty but fell to Tim Southee just before Tea, by edging a delivery that went down the leg to the wicketkeeper. Iyer’s 65 could prove decisive as New Zealand will bat last on the Kanpur pitch.

Indians with two fifty-plus scores on Men’s Test debut

Iyer – 105 and 50* vs New Zealand in Kanpur – 2021

Sunil Gavaskar – 65 and 67* vs West Indies in Port of Spain – 1971

Dilawar Hussain – 59 and 57 vs England in Kolkata – 1933/34

Shreyas Iyer was fortunate early on in his innings as a thick edge in Tim Southee’s over flew into the vacant slip region but the Mumbai batter absorbed the pressure and showcased his grit to hang around. He allowed Ashwin to play the aggressor’s role in their 6th-wicket stand and the pattern continued in the initial part of his stand with Saha.

Iyer, who received his maiden Test cap from Sunil Gavaskar, showcased the fighting spirit in the first innings too. as he had stitched a 121-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja on Day 1 of the Test.

Iyer stepped up to make the most of the opportunity on debut and give the team management a selection headache ahead of the 2nd Test for which Virat Kohli will return.