IND vs NZ LIVE: Shreyas Iyer- Shreyas Iyer, who registered a century in his debut game, said that India head coach Rahul Dravid and legendary Sunil Gavaskar motivated him. Heading to Kanpur, Iyer had no idea that he will make his Test debut but Rahul Dravid motivated him ahead of the match. He added that it was a fairytale to receive the maiden Test from the one and only Sunil Gavaskar. Follow India vs New Zealand LIVE updates on InsideSport
IND vs NZ LIVE: Centurion Shreyas Iyer says, ‘Rahul Dravid and Sunil Gavaskar motivated me ahead of the match’
“When I came to Kanpur, I didn’t know that I will play. The last match I played was almost three years back and I take it as a challenge. I was focused on my mindset of playing red-ball cricket. I know that I have got skills. Rahul Dravid and Ajinkya Rahane motivated me ahead of the match,” Shreyas Iyer said at the press conference.
One thing Sir Sunil Gavaskar told me that stayed in my mind is, ‘don’t look too far ahead and just enjoy yourself’.
“Sunil Gavaskar when he gave me the cap he told me to focus on the present and don’t think too far ahead. It was like a fairytale as I never thought Sunil Gavaskar would be giving me the cap,” he added while replying to a query regarding his chances for the upcoming Mumbai Test.
“I was really happy with the way everything went right from day one. Couldn’t get good sleep last night. Especially when you are batting overnight, I thought I batted really well yesterday but had to still focus again today,” he further stated.
🎤Shreyas Iyer shares a light moment with the great Sunil Gavaskar at the end of Day 2 in Kanpur.#INDvNZ @Paytm pic.twitter.com/WMJXgigje0
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 26, 2021
Talking about the impact of MS Dhoni, Shreyas said: “Mahi Bhai and I spoke about IPL when I was doing rehab and I went in to play football with Bollywood friends. I mean you know he is really calm and composed. Whenever you go for a chat, he has so much experience, it is always fun to chat with him.”
Shreyas Iyer also shed light on his father’s joy on his successful Test debut.
“My Dad loves Test cricket the most and Test century is a great feeling for both of us. My father and mother have supported me throughout my journey. I would like to thank my family,” he said.
He also stressed India’s challenges with the bowl on the field but affirmed that one wicket would change the dimension of the game on Day 3.
“It’s gonna be a really challenging day tomorrow (Day 3). The wicket is not helping the bowlers. So, we have to focus on trying to give less runs as much as possible and try to build more pressure. One wicket would completely change the momentum towards us. Once it starts to spin or some cracks start to open on the wicket, it will shift the momentum. Hoping we get off to a good start,” he signed off.
At stumps on Day 2, New Zealand’s score read 129/0 with Young (75*) and Latham (50*) currently unbeaten at the crease. The visitors are currently trailing by 216 runs. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer hit his maiden ton before New Zealand bundled India out for 345.
IND vs NZ 1st Test, Day 2 Stumps: Will Young, Tom Latham fifties put India on backfoot
IND vs NZ LIVE: Centurion Shreyas Iyer says, ‘Rahul Dravid and Sunil Gavaskar motivated me ahead of the match’
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