The first of the two Tests between India and New Zealand that was played late in November turned out to be a thrilling draw. India’s stand-out performer in that game was a debutant, Shreyas lyer. With knocks of 105 in the first innings and 65 in the second, lyer made crucial contributions in both innings.
Along the way, he also broke a number of records.
Fifty-plus in both innings on debut
With scores of 105 and 65 on his Test debut, Shreyas lyer ensured that he had scores of 50-plus in both the innings.
In fact, he became just the third male Indian player to achieve the feat, following the likes of Dilawar Hussain and Sunil Gavaskar.
Hussain, who made his debut against England in a draw at Kolkata in January 1934, scored 59 in the first innings and 57 in the second.
Gavaskar, who made his debut against West Indies at Port of Spain in March 1971, scored 65 in the first innings and followed it up with an unbeaten 67 during a victorious chase in the second innings.
Top scorer in both innings on debut
Shreyas lyer became the first male Indian player to hit a century and fifty on Test debut. His 105 in the first innings came from 171 balls and included 13 fours and two sixes.
His 65 in the second innings, meanwhile, helped India recover, with the side having been in trouble at 51 for five. His 125-ball knock comprised eight fours and a six.
lyer’s phenomenal debut also made him just the third Indian player to top score for the side in both innings on Test debut. While Hussain was the second player to achieve the feat in 1934, Lala Amarnath was the first player to do so in December 1933.
Amarnath top-scored with 38 in the first innings and an impressive 118 in the second innings, but it wasn’t enough to stop India from losing to England.
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