Watch: Joe Root signals thumps-up towards Brendan McCullum after Shreyas Iyer's dismissal in the 5th Test
In the rescheduled fifth Test match between India and England, Shreyas Iyer's bad luck with bouncers resumed on Friday when the Indian batsman once again gifted away his wicket while attempting to tackle a bouncer from James Anderson.
Iyer received three bouncers from Anderson and he didn't play the first two but was unable to handle the third. Sam Billings deserves praise as well, though, for completing the dismissal with an amazing diving catch to his left.
The incident happened on the last ball of India's 27th over, with Iyer batting at position 15 and having faced 11 balls. Iyer, who is 27 years old, deflected a short-pitched bouncer from Anderson that appeared to be going outside his leg stump. Billings then leaped to his left and performed a spiderman-like catch.
Iyer encountered bouncers frequently throughout the IPL 2022 season, and his head coach Brendon McCullum, who is now coaching the England team, gave his bowlers specific orders to bowl bouncers to Iyer. The strategy was executed flawlessly, sending half of the Indian team back to the dugout as the Men in Blue were in trouble at that moment. Joe Root pointed towards the dressing room after the dismissal of Shreyas Iyer. This video goes viral on social media.
Iyer was Jimmy Anderson's third wicket on the first day of play at Edgbaston, where he had already removed both of the Indian openers. The Englishman missed England's third Test match against New Zealand due to injury, but he has continued where he left off.
Now the partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant have stabilized the Indian innings with a 100 run partnership. Rishabh Pant is taking on the England bowlers at this point. Not giving the time for the bowlers to settle down with his unorthodox shots.
What a catch by Billings 🤯
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 1, 2022
Shreyas Iyer's short but brisk stay at the crease comes to an end, courtesy of James Anderson.
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