Indian slugger Shreyas Iyer had no regrets after falling 8 runs short of a rare Test hundred in a pink ball match against Sri Lanka on Saturday in Bengaluru.
Pink Ball Test: Shreyas Iyer missed a well-deserved hundred on Day 1 (AP Photo)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Shreyas Iyer said he had no regrets missing the hundred on day one against SL
- Iyer hit a 92 counterattack to put India in the position of strength
- Our fast bowlers will play an immense role in this match: Shreyas Iyer
Middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer from India said he had no regrets after falling 8 runs from his second Test hundred in Saturday’s ongoing pink ball game against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru. Iyer missed his second Test hundred when he was stunned by Praveen Jayawickrama (3/81), who aimed for a big throw.
Notably, Iyer hit a 92 counterattack to put India in the position of strength, while Sri Lanka was reduced to 86/6 in response to the hosts’ 252 on day one of the second Test. Iyer opened up after his 92-run knock and said he didn’t want to defend the ball because there were more chances of getting out that way than making runs.
India vs. Sri Lanka, Pink Ball Test Day 1: Highlights
“When I sat inside, drama was happening everywhere and the thrill was great. I didn’t want to go out to defend the ball because there are more chances of getting out that way than making runs,” Iyer told broadcasters.
“In my opinion the intention had to be positive and I had decided that before I went batting. When the left-arm spinner bowled, there was no mid-wicket, and my plan was to go over and see if there was a single, because mid-off was also behind.
Iyer made hitting a sharp turn look easy and an uneven jump on the M Chinnaswamy track got the Indians dancing to the tunes of the Sri Lankan spinners. His entertaining shot, coming from 98 balls, had 10 fours and four sixes, negating all the good work done by the visiting bowlers in the first session when they took four wickets.
16 wickets fell on the opening day of the Pink Ball Test in Bangalore #WTC23 | #INDvSL | https://t.co/z8k3qDsu6u pic.twitter.com/KcJjkTYyP3
— ICC (@ICC) March 12, 2022
“Even if I flash at the ball, it had to fall safely. I didn’t have him (the hundred) in mind when I hit 80’s Jassie (Bumrah) defended the ball really well and I never thought I would have to take the single on 5-6. Ball,” Iyer added.
“It’s an essential part of the game. Today wasn’t my day and I don’t regret it. When the ball was new it swung and lined fairly well. We discussed in the dressing room that the fast bowlers will play a huge role and we saw that,” said Iyer.
India are 166 runs clear so far on the opening day of the day-night test, played in front of a nearly sold-out crowd at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday.
