Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif heaped praise on Shreyas Iyer, calling him the complete batter. Iyer scored a crucial knock of 86 runs in the first innings as he batted at the top of his game in the first Test match against Bangladesh at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chhatogram.
Iyer joined forces with Cheteshwar Pujara in the first dig with India in a spot of bother at 112-4. However, the Mumbai batter was able to hit the ground running and added a magnificent alliance of 149 runs with Pujara.
Iyer scored 10 fours and took on the attack against the Bangladesh bowlers. In fact, the 28-year-old also had the rub of the green on his side but he was able to make the most of his chances.
Iyer has been struggling against short-pitched deliveries but he has performed consistently for the team in 2022.
Mohammad Kaif said on Sony Sports, “We always talk about Dhoni that he doesn’t look good but scores runs and wins matches. Shreyas Iyer also has the same class, he knows how to make runs. There is a weakness, gets out while playing the pull shot but despite that, he has a good record in 2022.”
“He is in good form and scoring in every match. It is a big thing to score in the first innings. India got the big lead because of his innings. He plays good drives and uses his feet as well, he is a complete batter.”
Iyer’s knock helped India in posting 404 runs in the first innings. It was a difficult pitch to bat in the first essay and thus the partnership between Pujara and Iyer was crucial for the team.
Kaif added every batter has some issues in his game and backed Iyer to soon find a solution against the short-bowling woes.
“He has issues against the bouncer but every batter has some or other weakness. It will remain throughout his life, he will have to deal with it always, but what he has done is praiseworthy.”
“Shreyas Iyer scored a century on his Test debut against New Zealand in Kanpur. The knock he played in this Test match was also fantastic. He knows how to score in all areas, plays spin well, goes to the pitch of the ball and defends, plays cuts off the back foot, and lofted shots down the ground.”
Iyer has scored 508 runs in six Test matches at an average of 50.8. The second Test match will be played in Dhaka from Thursday.
