Ahead of the start of India's first Test against New Zealand at the Green Park Stadium, there was a moment to cherish for Shreyas Iyer. The middle-order batter became the 303rd Test cricketer for India.
Though his debut was confirmed on Wednesday by captain Ajinkya Rahane, Iyer was handed his maiden Test cap by legendary cricketer and fellow Mumbaikar, Sunil Gavaskar on Thursday.
In the video uploaded by the BCCI on its social media handles, Gavaskar can be seen speaking to Iyer before handing him the Test cap in the middle of the Indian team's huddle that comprised Ajinkya Rahane, head coach Rahul Dravid and Iyer's team-mates.
On receiving the Test cap, Iyer kissed it before wearing it on his head before his team-mates all moved in to congratulate him on his debut.
"A moment to cherish for @ShreyasIyer15 as he receives his #TeamIndia Test cap from Sunil Gavaskar -- one of the best to have ever graced the game," read the caption of the video from BCCI.
Iyer had got his first Test call-up in 2017 when he was brought in as a replacement for the injured Virat Kohli ahead of the fourth Test against Australia in Dharamshala. However, didn't get into the playing eleven.
In first-class cricket, Iyer has scored 4592 runs in 54 matches at an average of 52.18, including 12 centuries and 23 half-centuries.
In the 2015/16 Ranji Trophy, Iyer scored 1321 runs in 18 innings at an astonishing average of 73.38 in leading Mumbai to their 41st trophy. His highest score in first-class cricket came in a tour match against Australia at the Brabourne Stadium in February 2017, making an unbeaten 202 off 210 balls, laced with 27 fours and seven s'xes. Iyer's last red-ball appearance came in 2019 during the Irani Cup match between the Rest of India and Vidarbha at Nagpur.
(With inputs from IANS)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)