Shreyas Iyer becomes the first Indian to score a century and a half-century in his debut Test match

Shreyas Iyer is having a sensational Test debut. Iyer went on to achieve a one-of-a-kind feat on Day 4 of the ongoing Kanpur Test against New Zealand, after becoming the 16th Indian to get a century on debut. He followed up his century in the first innings with a brilliant fifty to become the first Indian to achieve a century and a half-century in their first Test match.

Shreyas Iyer, who received his first cap from Sunil Gavaskar, made a century in the Kanpur Test’s first innings to join the ranks of Mohammad Azharuddin, Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and others. And then he added a fifty to become the first Indian batter to score a century and a fifty in a Test match.

Sunil Gavaskar, who gave Iyer his debut cap, was the last Indian batsman to hit 50 runs in both innings on his debut.

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Shreyas Performance for India

Shreyas hit 105 in the first innings to help India reach a respectable 345 total, and he came to the rescue again in the second innings. With a score of 14/1 on Day 3, India needed to score large on Day 4 to take control and set a good target, but the Kiwi bowlers pulled India back, leaving India on 51/5.

Iyer then put up a half-century stand with Ashwin and a 50-run stand with Saha to keep India’s innings afloat. The right-handed batsman made 65 runs in the second innings before departing just before tea.

India’s score at the tea break was 167/7, with the hosts extending their lead to 216. At the moment, Wriddhiman Saha (22*) is unbeaten at the crease.

Most Runs on Debut Test

Shreyas Iyer is the third Indian to score the most runs on debut, with 170 runs. Shikhar Dhawan, who made his debut against Australia in Mohali and struck a century, remains at the top of the list, followed by Rohit Sharma.

• 187 Shikhar Dhawan v Aus Mohali 2012/13
• 177 Rohit Sharma v WI Kolkata 2013/14
• 170 Shreyas Iyer v NZ Kanpur 2021/22
• 156 Lala Amarnath v Eng Mumbai Gym 1933/34

However, with regular skipper Virat Kohli returning to Wankhede Stadium for the second Test, it would be interesting to watch who will make room for him. The second Test between India and New Zealand will begin on December 3 in Mumbai.

Read: Shreyas Iyer hits century on his Test debut; Check out all the Indian cricketers who scored a century on their Test debut

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