The pitch at the M Chinnaswamy stadium today, for the second test between India and Sri Lanka, was a proper rank turner with ball spinning square right since the start of the first session, but the knock that Shreyas Iyer played with India losing wickets at regular intervals at the other end, it was probably one of the best test knocks played by an Indian batsman in the recent times.
Since there was so much happening off the surface, it was quite clear that there was no point trying to dig in because there was always going to be an unplayable delivery. What Shreyas Iyer did well was he took the scoring opportunities whenever a bad ball was bowled. He was not into his shell at all.
Iyer was always looking to go forward and trying to reach the pitch of the ball, but he was then very quick to rock onto the backfoot as well whenever the length was a little shorter. It was a complete masterclass on how to play on a turning track.
Shreyas Iyer powered India past 250 on a very difficult track
After India lost the wicket of Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja in the initial stages of the second session, it seemed they might not get to even 200, but because of how Shreyas Iyer batted, India managed to get past 250, even though Iyer fell 8 runs short of what could be his second test hundred.
Trying to loft the left arm spinner against the spin over midwicket, Iyer was beaten by the flight and the turn of the ball and the wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella made no mistake in taking the bails off.
Iyer was, however, highly praised for his knock on Twitter. Even those fans, who were not convinced about Iyer’s selection ahead of Shubman Gill, were very happy with his counter-attacking approach in very tough conditions. Here are some of the Twitter reactions –
Shreyas Iyer just doesn't respect off-spin, smash it each and every single time.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 12, 2022
What a knock from Shreyas Iyer – 92 (98). Missed out on a very well deserving hundred. An innings to remember on a pitch where others struggled. A mighty knock by Iyer. pic.twitter.com/IfpHX77qQo
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 12, 2022
Shreyas Iyer what a player of spin👑 pic.twitter.com/t4agwQ7ma8
— Shivani (@meme_ki_diwani) March 12, 2022
Shreyas Iyer is blooming. He'll keep going. He's absolutely sure where he wants to head.
Today was yet another indicator.
— KSR (@KShriniwasRao) March 12, 2022
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Shreyas Iyer has earned every single drag down half tracker from the Lankan spinners. He’s made it possible by being so destructive of anything that’s a little full. What a special knock this.
— Cricket With Ash (@CricketWithAsh) March 12, 2022
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Fantastic knock from Iyer, India was under immense pressure and he played his natural game and gave India the upper hand. Played, Shreyas.
— Bhawana (@bhawnakohli5) March 12, 2022
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ON THE ROOF 😂 what a way to bring up your 50. Haha Shreyas Iyer is a boss. #INDvSL
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) March 12, 2022
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Proper entertainment from Shreyas Iyer. Sri Lanka could have easily wrapped us up much earlier. #INDvsSL
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) March 12, 2022
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Shreyas Iyer is 10 times the batter Gill would ever be.
— #FafOut (@9seventy3) March 12, 2022
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