WATCH: Incredibly lucky escape for Shreyas Iyer as the ball kisses his stumps but bails remain unmoved
As a batsman, a good inning can feature excellent strokeplay, timing, application, and skill, but sometimes you need a little bit of luck to go your way as well. And, on the first day of the first Test match between Bangladesh and India at Chattogram on Wednesday, December 14, Lady Luck seemed to be shining down upon Shreyas Iyer.
Having come in to bat with India in a spot of bother at 112/4 in the 32nd over, Iyer helped rebuild the innings alongside the ever-dependable Cheteshwar Pujara, with whom he put on 149 runs. Having ridden his luck on a tricky wicket at times, Iyer enjoyed a moment of great fortune towards the end of day’s play.
Batting on 76 at the time, Iyer was facing up to Ebadot Hossain, who was bowling the fifth ball of the 84th over of the innings. Iyer’s defence was beaten by the lack of bounce as the ball flew past the bat and hit the off-stump, causing the zing bails to light up.
However, just as the bowler and the fielders started to celebrate the wicket of a set batsman, they were left disappointed by the sight of both bails remaining firmly atop the stumps, as the impact of the ball was not enough to dislodge the bail.
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Although he lost his more experienced batting partner a few overs later, Iyer made the most of his reprieve and ended the day unbeaten on 82 as India finished on 278/6 at stumps on Day 1. And, while India can thank Iyer for his crucial innings that came at just the right time, Iyer can, in turn, thank the slightly heavier zing bails for staying in their groove when he needed them to.
