'Make the most of the opportunity' - Twitter rejoices after Suryakumar Yadav's Test debut

The Border Gavaskar Trophy is finally here, with hosts India taking on Australia in the opening Test match of the series at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. Team India have handed a debut to their T20 batting superstar Suryakumar Yadav, who will be playing the role of the enforcer in the middle order.

Suryakumar Yadav has been a revelation in the shortest format of the game ever since making his debut against England in 2021. The innovative batter has been ruling the rooster in the shortest format of the game and surged to the top of the ICC rankings for batters in 2022.

However, the mercurial batter is all set to make an impact in the longest format of the game after he was handed his Test cap by the former Indian cricketer and head coach Ravi Shastri ahead of the Test series opener. He was in contention to make the debut ever since Shreyas Iyer was sidelined from the first Test due to an injury. 

While Iyer is recovering from his injury at the NCA, Suryakumar has been bestowed with the responsibility of holding the middle order together, which has been weakened due to the absence of Rishabh Pant. Apart from the trailblazing Mumbai Indians batter, Srikar Bharat also makes his debut in the game, meaning KL Rahul will not be burdened with wicketkeeping duties.

The Andhra cricketer received a hug from his mother after he was handed his Test cap before the toss on the opening day of the series. He has been picked over Ishan Kishan, who provided the Indian team with a left-handed batting option.