The ongoing Test series between India and Australia has been a see-saw affair so far. With both teams playing with a never say never attitude, it’s only fitting that the series is still up for grabs until the final Test.
However, with India’s star batsman in the domestic circuit Shreyas Iyer joining the Indian team as a back-up for Virat Kohli, indicates that the skipper is not entirely fit and the home side may have to take the field at Dharamsala without him on Saturday.
Kohli hasn’t been among the runs in this series, but a change from spin tracks to a fast pitch could have been helpful for the captain.
Nevertheless, Iyer has been given his maiden India call-up for his exceptional performances in domestic cricket and if gets a chance to play, he has to make the opportunity count.
Here’s a look at the highlights from Shreyas Iyer’s performance in the 2016-17 domestic season.
Mumbai’s Highest Scorer in Ranji Trophy
Shreyas Iyer finished the last Ranji Trophy season as the highest scorer for Mumbai. He scored 725 runs at an average of 42.64 in 10 matches. The 22-year-old notched two hundreds and two fifties during the season.
Mumbai, who have won the Ranji Trophy 41 times, ended the tournament after losing the final to Gujarat.
Iyer scored 82 runs off 137 balls in the final, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough for the team.
Mettle vs International Teams
The Mumbai batsman has shown his mettle against international teams such as Australia and Bangladesh as well. While playing for India A against the Australians in a Tour match, Iyer smashed 202* runs off 210 balls in February.
He cracked a whopping 27 boundaries and 7 sixes against a bowling attack comprising of Jackson Bird, Mitchell Marsh, Nathan Lyon and Steve O'Keefe.
Even in the tour match against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in February, Iyer smashed 100 runs off 91 balls.
His innings included 12 boundaries and four sixes.
Madavrao Scindia Award Winner
Iyer bagged the Madavrao Scindia Award in the BCCI Awards this year, for being the highest scorer in the 2015-16 Ranji Trophy season. He finished the tournament with 1,321 runs in 11 matches at an average of 73.38.
The right-hand top order batsman has consistently performed in the domestic arena since his debut in 2014. He has recorded a healthy average of 55.18 in 38 first-class matches in his career so far.
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