Shreyas Iyer Slams Fake News on Ranji Trophy Absence, Asks Media to ‘Do Homework’

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Shreyas Iyer, one of Mumbai's most reliable middle-order batters, has lashed out at false reports regarding his absence from the Ranji Trophy match against Tripura.

The 29-year-old, who has been in stellar form recently, took to X (formerly Twitter) to address rumours about a shoulder injury, which many media outlets cited as the reason for his non-availability.

"Guys seriously let's do some homework before publishing news," Iyer wrote, calling out an account that quoted a report from Cricbuzz claiming his absence was due to a shoulder issue.

The post stirred discussions online, prompting Iyer to set the record straight. The batter’s response to the misinformation was met with an apology from the user who shared the incorrect report.

As per reports from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), the right-handed batter will miss the game for personal reasons, not injury.

Having played a crucial role in Mumbai's campaign this season, Iyer's temporary break is seen as a personal necessity. He has been at the forefront of Mumbai's success, including their Irani Cup triumph after 27 years. In the ongoing Ranji Trophy, Iyer’s stunning 142 against Maharashtra helped Mumbai secure their first victory in Group A.

The Mumbai Cricket Association confirmed that Iyer had requested time off to manage personal commitments, and the selection committee approved his appeal. This decision comes after a busy domestic schedule for the batter, who has shown steady progress in his fitness following recent injury concerns.

While fans may miss seeing Iyer in action during the clash against Tripura from October 26-29, his form and fitness remain a positive sign for Mumbai. The batter, who scored 57 and 8 in the Irani Cup final, has reiterated his commitment to the team's campaign but prioritised giving his body much-needed rest after a demanding cricket calendar.

Shreyas Iyer was recently in the news after fellow batter Tilak Varma shattered his all-time record for the highest individual score by an Indian in T20 cricket. Tilak achieved the milestone during a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match on November 23, where he blasted an unbeaten 151 off just 67 balls for Hyderabad against Meghalaya.

Iyer’s previous record of 147, scored in 2019 for Mumbai against Sikkim, had remained unchallenged for nearly five years. Iyer’s 147, scored off a blistering 55 balls, featured seven fours and 15 sixes and was one of the highlights of his domestic career.