(Cricket news) The pitch is very tricky to bat on in the 2nd Test between India and Sri Lanka. Rohit Sharma's men need 9 wickets to win the game and it's only day 3 as Sri Lanka have a mammoth target of 447. One of the reasons that India are ahead in the game is obviously the amazing performance by the bowlers especially Jasprit Bumrah while the other reason is Shreyas Iyer

Batting on a tricky pitch, Iyer was the only Indian batter to cross the 50 run mark. The Mumbai batter scored an incredible 92 off 98 balls including 10 boundaries and 4 sixes. He unfortunately missed out on his 2nd Test ton as he was stumped while trying to go big. In the 2nd innings, Iyer along with Rishabh Pant helped India to a total of 303 runs. Iyer scored 67 off 87 balls hitting 9 boundaries in the process as he completed two half centuries in the match.

Since making his Test debut, Iyer has been in terrific form and looks to have cemented his place in the side. His real test will come in England where India are scheduled to play the postponed 5th Test. Iyer is yet to be tested in foreign conditions with the red ball where his weakness against the short ball could be exposed. As of now things are going really well for him in all formats of the game.

The most interesting aspect of Iyer's Test career is when his runs have come. He always seems to score in difficult conditions when the team needs it the most. Iyer's ton and fifty in his debut Test was the reason India were 1 wicket away from victory. Even in this Test, if Iyer didn't score those runs, the match would've been much closer than it is. Replacing Ajinkya Rahane won't be an easy job but Iyer looks to be up for it.

Also read: We are waiting for fitness update on Ruturaj and Deepak: CSK CEO Kashi Vishwanathan