India Vs New Zealand 2021: Shreyas Iyer receives his debut cap

The moment of the Shreyas Iyer has arrived finally as he has been handed over his first maiden cap for his debut in India’s test against New Zealand. This moment for Shreyas Iyer has come after lots of struggles in domestic cricket. 

This cap was handed to him by the legendary Sunil Gavaskar. Shreyas Iyer was overwhelmed after he received the cap and he kissed the cap once he got it into his hands to showcase how much it meant to him. Then he was received by his teammates into the game. 

Sharing the video of the same, the BCCI wrote:

“? A moment to cherish for @ShreyasIyer15 as he receives his #TeamIndia Test cap from Sunil Gavaskar – one of the best to have ever graced the game. ? ?”

Watch the video here

Shreyas Iyer is set to become the 303rd cricketer to represent India in the test cricket. Earlier Hanuma Vihari was expected to be inducted into the squad however, at the last decision was taken to give chance to the Shreyas Iyer. 

Initially, in the line-up, it appeared unlikely that Shreyas will Iyer will get a chance to bat as Rahul and Shubham gill was expected to open being in the higher-order. As news struck that Rahul has got injured and he will not be able to play the game. It was only after that subham gill was moved up the line-up order and Shreyas Iyer will finally get the opportunity to play in the middle order. 

Iyer has been performing well consistently well in the Ranji Trophy and in India A in four-day cricket. He has garnered great first-class stats and  In 54 matches, the 26-year-old has scored 4592 runs at an average of 52.18 and a strike rate of -wait for it- 81.54 with the help of 23 fifties and 12 centuries.

Back in 2017, He hit 108 and 82 runs in the unofficial test against New Zealand.  However, he has not got a chance to play the test since the 2019 Irani trophy. It will be interesting to see how he adapts to the Test environment in the present test against New Zealand. 

Meanwhile, in the first test, the Stand-in skipper Ajinkya rahane has won the toss and opted to bat and Mayank Agarwal and Shubman Gill will open the batting for India first followed by the experienced duo of Pujara, Rahane, and debutant Iyer.

In expected terms, India has gone with three spinners + two dealers in combination with Ishant Sharma getting the nod over Mohammed Siraj.