Shreyas Iyer led India D lost to India C captained by Ruturaj Gaikwad by 4 wickets.
Shreyas Iyer made the most of the opportunity he got in the recent Duleep Trophy where he is captaining the India D team. India D lost to India C by 4 wickets in a tightly fought encounter at the Rural Development Trust Stadium, Anantapur, Bengaluru.
Shreyas Iyer, who last played a Test for India against England in Vizag, will look to force his way back into the team.
After being dismissed for only 9 runs in the first innings, Iyer showed great determination to score a half-century. With Iyer seeing the Duleep Trophy as an audition for the next India against Bangladesh Test series selection, the batter sent a loud and obvious statement about the game he wants to play.
Iyer's 44-ball 54 in the second innings came at a difficult period in which India C spinners were dominant. Instead of taking a defensive stance, the India D batsman showed counter-attacking intensity and helped his side score 236 runs.
Though India C chased down the goal and won the match, Iyer feels pleased with his batting performance.
"It was necessary for me to show intent because their bowlers were bowling great, in the right areas and the ball was seaming as well. I just wanted to take the attack and see if we could get a decent total on board. When the ball got old, it was stopping a bit. I wanted to capitalize on my intent, but, I would take that fifty any day," Iyer said interview with official broadcaster Sports18.
With the Bangladesh Test series being staged in India, the hosts may use Iyer's skills for a similar strategy in the two-match assignment.
“The pitch did not offer much, there was no spin for the bowlers. Saransh bowled in great areas. There were few patches on the pitch created by the fast bowlers where the ball spun from outside of the off-stump, other than that it was quite dead. Hopefully, we learn from this and move on," Iyer further said.
Meanwhile, Iyer's 54 and Devdutt Padikkal's 56 were in vain, as India C triumphed by four wickets. In the third innings, India D scored 236 runs, setting a target of 233.
India C openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sai Sudharsan got the squad off to a terrific start, followed by Aryan Juyal's 47 and Rajat Patidar's 44, who nearly finished the job. Later, Abhishek Porel made 35* to round things out, giving India C a win by 4 wickets.
The first India v Bangladesh Test of the two-match series will begin on September 19 in Chennai.