Team India batting coach Vikram Rathour believes Shreyas Iyer “looked even better” in the second inning of the Kanpur Test at Green Park Stadium on Sunday. India finished day four on a high after half centuries of Shreyas Iyer and Wriddhiman Saha saw them set New Zealand a goal of 284 before Ravichandran Ashwin struck late to get Will’s scalp Young. Shreyas Iyer stole the show again in his first test match with his 65th shot, helping India to a command post on day four of the Kanpur test.

“It’s always exciting when a rookie comes in and scores a hundred. It’s very special and I thought he looked even better in the second run. All the credit goes to him. It’s always exciting as a ‘coach and support staff to see someone come into the team and do [it] themselves, ”Vikram Rathour said at the press conference after the fourth day.

In the third session, Wriddhiman Saha (61 *) and Axar Patel (28 *) stabilized the ship for the hosts and helped India set a target of 284 ahead of New Zealand. Wriddhiman Saha shattered half a century of unbeaten quality, once again proving his relentless abilities as a hitter.

“He had a stiff neck so he was struggling a bit. Knowing Saha who is an ideal team man, I mean if we need him he will do whatever it takes. Be there and do the hard thing to the team he made today. He did an extremely important job at this point where the team was at this stage and that’s what we all expected from Wridhiman. He’s always been that kind of person who you can count on and today he showed why we have that kind of belief in him, “said the batting coach.

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Speaking about Wriddhiman’s role in the team, Vikram said: “As far as Wridhi is concerned, unfortunately for him we have a very special player in the form of Rishabh Pant. He is the team’s No.1 goalkeeper and he’s done extremely well for us the last few years. That’s Wridhiman’s role right now. He’s there whenever we need him. “

Getting back to the game, the visitors now find themselves in a boredom situation ending on 4/1 and needing 280 points to win on the final day. India, for their part, will be confident to win the nine wickets required for a victory on a ground which assists their spinners.