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SpORTS DECEMBER 03, 2021 | The Indian Eye 46

Indian fans during the Day-1 of the 1st Test match between India and New Zealand, India’s skipper Ajinkya Rahane plays a shot during the Day-1 of the 1st Test match between
at the Green Park International Stadium, in Kanpur on Thursday. (ANI) India and New Zealand, at the Green Park International Stadium, in Kanpur on Thursday. (ANI)

Test cap from legend Sunil Gavaskar. shortest format. Rohit lavished praise
Iyer made his Test debut in the on Ashwin and said the off-spinner
ongoing match against New Zealand is an attacking option for the side,
at Green Park, Kanpur. “You’re a whenever the team is looking for
blessed man @ShreyasIyer15 to be quick wickets in the middle overs.
receiving this wonderful honour from “I think it has been a great come-
one of the greatest cricketers India back for him. Ever since he (R Ash-
has ever seen. You’ve worked hard in win) played in Dubai until now. We
first-class cricket and may you have a all know he is a quality bowler; he has
fabulous test career as well. Go, well proved himself with the red-ball and
brother,” tweeted Karthik. even with the white-ball his record
Iyer on Thursday received his isn’t bad,” said Rohit in the post-
Test cap from former skipper and match press conference after India’s
legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar. series win.
The Board of Control for Cricket “And now he has made a come-
in India (BCCI) shared the video in back and bowled in Dubai and two
which Gavaskar can be seen handing games here, it shows the quality he
the Test cap to Iyer, while all other has. He has always been an attacking
players congratulate the India batter. option for a captain.
“A moment to cherish for @ New Zealand’s Kyle Jamieson celebrates the dismissal of India’s Shubman Gill during the
ShreyasIyer15 as he receives his “When you have someone like
#TeamIndia Test cap from Sunil Ga- Day-1 of the 1st Test match between India and New Zealand, at the Green Park International
vaskar -- one of the best to have ever Stadium, in Kanpur on Thursday. (ANI) ashwin in the squad it always
graced the game,” BCCI tweeted. gives you an opportunity to take
India won the toss and opted to but we came back strongly in England against Neil Wagner and we have also wickets in the middle overs and
bat against New Zealand in the first and we played very good cricket. Now played him in 2017, so we know how
Test of the two-match series at the the team is back together, confident he bowls in Indian conditions so we we understand how important
Green Park Stadium. and new coach Rahul bhai is there,” will plan accordingly,” said Pujara. that middle phase is. axar-ash-
said Pujara in the virtual press con- The India batter is a key cog in the win are wicket-taking options
Pujara banks on dravid ference. batting wheel of the Indian team but
“That will help most of the play- has failed to score a Test ton in recent for us in the middle,” he added.
ndia batter Cheteshwar Pujara ers, especially the young players, who times. “I have been scoring runs, the
feels new head coach Rahul Dra- have worked with Rahul bhai during 50s, 80s or 90s. I’ve not scored a ton The India skipper pointed out
Ivid’s rich experience in the longer the Under-19 and India A series. but I am not worried about it as long that it is never about bowling your full
format will definitely help the Test “And even someone like us, as I keep batting well and contribut- quota in the shortest format and the
side grow as a team. who are experienced players. I have ing to the team’s total. My focus is giv- bowlers must go for wickets during
After securing a thumping T20I played with Rahul bhai and worked ing best for the team,” he signed off. the middle over phase. “It’s never
series win over New Zealand, India with Rahul bhai during the A series. about surviving, it is always about
under the coaching of Dravid will All of us are looking for his guidance. ashwin is the key cog, says how can we get the batter out and
face New Zealand in the two-match The amount of experience he has as rohit how can we put the pressure back on
Test series which gets underway from a player and coach that will help the the batter,” said Rohit.
Thursday. Dravid, who has played team,” he added. ndia skipper Rohit Sharma said With this win, India won the
164 Tests for India, will offer a great Pujara isn’t concerned about the seasoned off-spinner Ravichan- three-match series 3-0 and now
amount of guidance to the young New Zealand pace attack having al- Idran Ashwin has proved himself both teams will square off in two-
guns, according to Pujara. ready weathered the storm in 2017. over the years and is now a key cog in match Test series, beginning Thurs-
“After the WTC we all were hurt “We have our strategies prepared the bowling wheel of the side in the day in Kanpur.

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