Pant blitz helps India to 357-6 in Kohli's 100th Test
Rishabh Pant smashed 96 to help India to 357 for six on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka after Virat Kohli fell agonisingly short of fifty in his 100th five-day match Friday.
Shreyas Iyer Sport News
"Question Of Where He Is Going To Slot In": Sunil Gavaskar On Shreyas Iyer's Test Hopes
Sunil Gavaskar, former Indian cricket team captain, lauded batter Shreyas Iyer for his recent heroics in the T20I series against Sri Lanka at home. Gavaskar praised Iyer's "confident" approach ever since his debut Test series against New Zealand at home last year, where he scored a superb hundred. "Yes, he (Shreyas Iyer) didn't play in South Africa, also he wasn't hundred percent fit. I think he had an ulcer in the tummy, so I am told. That's why he wasn't available for selection," said Gavaskar during a discussion on Star Sports.
Shreyas Iyer Jumps 27 Places To 18th In ICC T20I Rankings, Virat Kohli Out Of Top 10
Riding on his splendid run against Sri Lanka recently, India batter Shreyas Iyer has jumped a massive 27 spots in the latest ICC T20I rankings, even as Virat Kohli fell out of the top 10. India's recent home series win against Sri Lanka has had major ramifications on the player rankings aiding attacking top-order batter Iyer to make a massive jump to reach the 18th position in the list for batters. Iyer scored three unbeaten half-centuries during India's 3-0 win against Sri Lanka in February, with the 27-year-old amassing an impressive 204 runs at a strike rate of 174.
India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test: Rohit Sharma takes reins as India set for new era in Virat Kohli's 100th Test
Rohit Sharma begins a new era as India's Test captain on Friday when the two-match series against Sri Lanka begins, as predecessor Virat Kohli makes a landmark 100th appearance. Rohit is now in charge across all formats, succeeding Kohli who drove India up the world rankings but failed to lift any international silverware. Rohit, 34, reasserted his white-ball leadership credentials with a 3-0 Twenty20 sweep of Sri Lanka on Sunday that gave India a record-equalling 12th straight win.
Shreyas Iyer Faces "Bigger Challenges Ahead", Says Former India Selector
Former India selector Saba Karim has showered praise on batter Shreyas Iyer, following the latter's exploits in the recently-concluded T20I series against Sri Lanka. The 27-year-old starred with the bat as India clean swept the visitors 3-0 last week. Shreyas amassed 204 runs in three matches and was not dismissed even once during the series. Karim said that Shreyas has re-invented his game, and explained why that is the case, pointed out to Shreyas having scored runs everywhere around the park.
"Had To Fight His Way Into The Team": Dinesh Karthik Lauds Star India Batter
India batter Shreyas Iyer has been in fine form, winning the Man of the Series award in the recently-concluded T20I series against Sri Lanka. During the series, Shreyas, who came to bat no. 3 in all the matches, notched up 203 runs as India pulled off a clean sweep over the visitors. India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik was in awe of Shreyas recent exploits, saying that the batter has had to fight his way back into the team, having picked up a shoulder injury which halted his progress last season.
"My Heart Was Pumping": Kolkata Knight Riders Captain Shreyas Iyer While Watching IPL 2022 Mega Auction On TV
Shreyas Iyer is currently the toast of the cricketing world with a hat-trick of unbeaten fifties against Sri Lanka that helped India clinch the T20I series 3-0. After starting his Test career with a century on debut, Shreyas levelled up his game when it came to the shortest format. His calm demeanor and intelligent shot selection made the world stop and admire him. The rich form of Shreyas will surely impress his IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and its fans as Shreyas is set to lead them in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. Recently, in an interview with KKR.in, Shreyas, who was picked up by KKR for Rs 12.25 crore, revealed how "nervous" he was while watching the IPL 2022 mega auction on the television. He explained that his "heart was pumping" and wasn't able to "control his emotions" as his name flashed across the screen.
Ex-India Selector Names Youngster As "Best Bet" To Take Over Cheteshwar Pujara's Number 3 Slot In Tests
Rohit Sharma's first Test as captain will also usher in a new era for India's middle-order with Shubman Gill and Hanuma Vihari all set to become long-term replacements of veterans Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. It is now clear that Rahane and Pujara won't be called for the three Tests this season (two against Sri Lanka and one away game against England) where Vihari and Gill, along with Shreyas Iyer as back-up, will be the options. There are two vacant spots from the last Test that India played in Cape Town and as Virat Kohli plays his 100th Test at Mohali, the three youngsters will be preparing for a long haul in the spots vacated by the two veterans after having made those their own for a decade.