"It was an innings of the highest class" - Irfan Pathan lauds Shreyas Iyer's knock in the 2nd IND vs SL Test

Shreyas Iyer was the only half-centurion in the Indian first innings [P/C: BCCI]

Irfan Pathan has showered huge praise on Shreyas Iyer for playing an enterprising knock in Team India's first innings during the second Test against Sri Lanka.

Iyer played a 92-run knock from just 98 deliveries, which helped the Indian team reach a decent score of 252 runs in their first innings. The Indian bowlers then dismissed six Sri Lankan batters for just 86 runs to give the hosts the upper hand heading into the second day of the encounter.

During a discussion on Star Sports, Irfan Pathan was effusive in his praise for Iyer's knock. He said:

"It was an innings of the highest class. His footwork was precise, both moving forward and back, stepping out and playing the big shots or playing the creative shots. It was an amazing knock, he impressed a lot."

The former India all-rounder highlighted that it was an excellent display of batting on a pitch that was assisting the spinners. Pathan explained:

"The control was because of the clarity of thought, whether to play forward or back, and that is why a high percentage of good shots were seen. Fantastic knock, you will enjoy it as many times you see it. You won't get to see such knocks on turnings tracks often."

Clarity in shreyas iyer’s foot work was the highlight of his inning. #brilliant

Shreyas Iyer walked out to bat after the fall of Virat Kohli's wicket when India were at 86/4. The Mumbaikar strung together crucial partnerships with the lower-order batters after Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja's dismissals to take the hosts to a respectable score.

"The fast feet movement back gave Shreyas Iyer more time than the other batters" - Irfan Pathan

Shreyas Iyer was quick to pounce on short deliveries [P/C: BCCI]

Irfan Pathan was asked about Shreyas Iyer predominantly looking to play on the front foot and then going back immediately if the ball was slightly short. He responded:

"Every batter does not have the ability to come back like that immediately. But Shreyas Iyer showed that. The thinking was to play off the front foot but if the ball was short, the fast feet movement back gave him more time than the other batters and better results."

The cricketer-turned-commentator concluded by pointing out that Iyer was also judicious in his strokeplay. Pathan elaborated:

"He played just one shot against the spin, that was also along the ground, he got a four there. But all the other shots, when the off-spinner came he played in the direction of long-on or mid-wicket and in the direction of cover or mid-off against the left-arm spinner and square off the wicket off the back foot if, it was short."

What a day for Shreyas Iyer. His natural counter-attacking style came to the fore today. Then two sharp catches. He will sleep well.

Iyer's 92-run knock was studded with 10 fours and four sixes. He was unfortunate to miss out on a well-deserved century when he was stumped by Niroshan Dickwella in over bowled by Praveen Jayawickrama.