The Bengaluru pitch in the second Test match between India and Sri Lanka is a minefield. So as a batter, you never know which delivery will have your number.
The ball was turning square from the first session and to make matters worse, it was keeping low at the same time. In fact, there is invariable bounce as some of the balls were just shooting up as well.
Consequently, when Shreyas Iyer joined forces with Rishabh Pant, India was 86-4 just before the Tea break. Iyer was clear that he needed to be aggressive in his approach and wanted to score a brisk pace on the difficult pitch.
Pant as usual was going all guns blazing at the other end and Iyer also started his innings on a high. The right-hander was able to hit the ground running as he timed the ball to perfection.
Iyer added 40 runs with Rishabh Pant as the latter did the lion’s share of the scoring. The Mumbaikar was quick to latch on to any bad ball and scored freely across the ground. Iyer’s knock of 92 runs was laced with 10 fours and four sixes and he scored 64 runs in boundaries.
Iyer was disappointed to miss out on a well-deserving hundred but he was happy to make a good contribution to the team’s total on a tough pitch. Furthermore, Iyer took two good low catches in the slip and a had fine day at work.
Shreyas Iyer said after the opening day’s play, “When I was sitting inside there was drama happening in every over and the thrill was intense. I didn’t want to get out defending the ball because there are more chances of getting out that way rather than scoring runs.
In my mind the intent had to be positive and that’s what I had decided before going out to bat. When the left-arm spinner was bowling, there was no mid-wicket and my plan was to step across and see if there’s a single because mid-off was also behind. Even if I flash at the ball it had to drop safely. I did not have it (the hundred) in mind, once I reached the 80s, Jassie (Bumrah) was defending the ball really well and I never thought I have to take the single on the 5th-6th ball. It is part and parcel of the game. Today wasn’t my day and I have no regrets. When the ball was new, it was swinging and seaming pretty good. We discussed in the dressing room that the fast bowlers are going to play an immense role and that’s what we saw.”
Shreyas Iyer must have grown in confidence after scoring a vital knock for his team on a dynamite pitch. Furthermore, India was able to take six wickets to put their noses in front on the opening day of the Test match. The tourists are 86-6 and they are in arrears by 166 runs.
