Shreyas Iyer is a suitable candidate for No. 5 spot in Indian Test team: Wasim Jaffer

Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer was all praises for Shreyas Iyer, who smashed a century on his Test debut in Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium against New Zealand, to become the 16th Indian to achieve the feat.

Iyer had left unbeaten on 75 at the end of the first day’s play and continued fluently on the second morning, notching up his maiden ton before falling for 105, including 13 boundaries and two sixes.

“Shreyas picked it up from where he left last night. Another batter from Mumbai, so [I’m] really happy. He played a very significant role in taking India to 345. Getting a century on Test debut, [you] can’t be happier,” Jaffer told ESPNcricinfo.

“He just came out and played as he plays. Just because he was playing Test, just because it was his debut, he didn’t change his game. That’s the most important thing. That’s what I expected from him because even when he came in the Under1-9 side, or the Vijay Hazare Trophy, or the Ranji Trophy, he was never overawed by the occasion; he backed his game even then,” he added.

Shreyas Iyer needs to be careful against short ball: Wasim Jaffer

“Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill are those kinds of players who will come and back their game. Just because it is a big occasion or a change of format, they won’t change their style.”

On being asked if Iyer would be a suitable fit for the No. 5 spot in Tests for India, Jaffer agreed as he went on to recall Iyer’s past performances: “He has got solid defence, there is no shortage of shots with him. Whenever he has got an opportunity to score runs, he has got them. He has got runs at the first-class level; he has got a double-hundred against Australia in Board’s President Game. He has got big hundreds, so it’s nothing new for him.”

However, Jaffer cautioned that he will have to be watchful against the short ball as that is an area he has been targeted previously by many bowlers. “In Test cricket, he is going to be peppered with short balls. That’s an area he will need to work on because you cannot take on every bowler. Otherwise, he has got everything to succeed,” Jaffer signed off.