'Shreyas Iyer carrying no fresh injury, is fit': NCA after batter opts out of Ranji Trophy match citing back pain

Add as a preferred source on Google

Shreyas Iyer is carrying no fresh injury and is fit, National Cricket Academy (NCA) has confirmed the Mumbai electors just a day after star batter Shreyas Iyer made himself unavailable for the side's quarterfinal match against Baroda starting Friday, February 23.

The 29-year-old was dropped from the last three Test matches against England, after failing to capitalise on the opportunity in the first two games. Shreyas Iyer, who last scored a Test fifty in December 2022, scored 15, 13, 27 and 29 in the four innings against England.

The right-hand batter complained about a problem in his back after facing the first 30 deliveries. As per reports he also complained of discomfort in his groin.

The selectors wanted Shreyas Iyer to feature in Ranji Trophy matches so that he is accustomed to the strain of batting and being on the field for an extended period of time. However, the Mumbai batter made himself unavailable for selection citing back pain.

As per a report in The Indian Express, Mumbai Cricket Association sources confirmed that Shreyas Iyer had cited back pain as a reason for sitting out of the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal game versus Baroda. But Nitin Patel, the head of sports science and medicine at the National Cricket Academy, in his email to Mumbai selectors, wrote, “Shreyas Iyer was fit and available for selection as per the handover report of the Indian team after the 2nd Test match against England. There are currently no fresh injuries reported as well after his departure from Team India.”

Very recently, BCCI secretary jay Shah made it clear that the board and selectors were not happy with contracted players not playing domestic cricket despite not being on national duty.

Shah also wrote an email to the top players and warned them of severe repercussions if they keep on prioritising IPL over domestic red-match matches. The letter was released in the wake of Ishan Kishan, who took a break to overcome mental fatigue in December last year, ignoring Ranji Trophy matches for Jharkhand and training with his Mumbai Indians (MI) captain in Baroda.

Shreyas Iyer had missed the IPL 2023 due to a back injury. Nitish Rana led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in his absence. Iyer has been confirmed as the KKR captain ahead of IPL 2024.