As India began their first Test against New Zealand at Green Park Stadium, there was a moment to cherish for Shreyas Iyer. The middle-order batsman became India's 303rd Test cricketer. Iyer was given his maiden Test cap by legendary cricketer and fellow Mumbaikar, Sunil Gavaskar, who confirmed his debut on Wednesday.
On social media, the BCCI posted a video of Gavaskar addressing Iyer as Rahane, head coach Rahul Dravid and the rest of the Indian team looked on and applauded Iyer for receiving his Test cap. Iyer kissed the Test cap and put it on his head. Iyer received hugs from all members of the Indian team after the cap presentation ceremony.
In 2017, Iyer was called up as a replacement for Virat Kohli ahead of the fourth Test against Australia in Dharamshala but did not make the playing eleven.
Iyer has scored 4592 runs in 54 matches in first-class cricket 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 sixes. Iyer's last red-ball appearance came in 2019 during the Irani Cup match between the Rest of India and Vidarbha at Nagpur.