(Image source from: cricbuzz.com)

Indian middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer made his debut in Test cricket with the ongoing New Zealand series. His brilliant 105 in the first innings made Team India get a decent total of 345 on board. In the second innings, all the top order batsmen tumbled down and Shreyas Iyer was the one who scored decent at this crucial time. His 65 helped Team India to score 234 in their second innings. Wriddhiman Saha (61) was the other top scorer for the side and India declared their innings for 234 for the loss of 7 wickets. New Zealand lost their first wicket and scored 4 runs by the end of fourth day of the first test. New Zealand has to score 280 runs in the 90 overs on the last day.

Shreyas Iyer emerged as the first Indian batsman to score a century and half-century in his first test match. The entire team gave him a standing ovation after he was out in the second innings. Sunil Gavaskarr is the last Indian batsman to score two half-centuries in his debut test and it happened against West Indies in 1971. When Indian was in neck deep troubles at 51/5 in their second, Shreyas Iyer and Saha helped the team to get a decent total of 234. Several former cricketers took their social media pages to appreciate and congratulate Shreyas Iyer on scripting history in Test cricket. Shreyas Iyer's performance may soon turn a headache for the selectors during the second and the final test that will take place next week in Mumbai. Indian skipper Virat Kohli will return back to the team for the second test.

By Siva Kumar