Mumbai, Dec 25:Having represented India in 54 white-ball games, Mumbai batter ShreyasIyer made his long-awaited entry into Test cricket in Kanpur against New Zealand in November.
After becoming the only Indian to make a century and a fifty on Test debut, a sterner challenge awaits the 27-year old on the South Africa tour, where he will be competing for a middle-order spot with AjinkyaRahane and HanumaVihari. Before leaving for South Africa, Iyer spoke to The Indian Express on his debut performance and his preparation for the upcoming big tour
Your Mumbai team-mate Siddhesh Lad once asked you to focus on white-ball cricket when you were not getting chances in red-ball. But you replied that red-ball lambakhelnahai [I want to play red-ball for a long time]. Tell us a bit more about that phase.
Test cricket is the ultimate dream of any professional cricketer.
True to its name, it tests your technical, mental and physical strength.
I have always wanted to play Test cricket for India and I knew my time would come.
Since my early days, I have never put pressure on myself. I think it affects your temperament on and off the field. All I always like to do and did at that time is focus on my skills so that whenever I get the opportunity, I am ready for it.
You had to wait for 54 first-class games before your Test debut. You have already played 54 white-ball games for India. You are also an IPL star.
Was there ever a point where you felt that you had achieved plenty even without getting that Test cap?
