Shreyas Iyer, an experienced Indian middle-order hitter, has written to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to say he will be taking a ‘leave from red-ball cricket’ for a spell due to back stiffness and exhaustion.
Iyer withdrew from the second unofficial Test match, which started at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Tuesday, September 23. Iyer was named captain of the India A team for the current series against Australia A. It has been learned that Iyer made the decision to formally submit his request via email following discussions with the selectors and Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of the selection committee.
Shreyas Iyer told the selectors that he was having back pain and that his body could no longer handle the demands of red-ball cricket, according to a report from The Indian Express. Iyer reportedly wants to give his body a break and attempt to regain the kind of physical condition necessary to play the red-ball format, which means he can’t be on the field for longer than four days.
Iyer told the board that he was able to take a break between overs during a Ranji Trophy match last year, but he is unable to do the same for India A or when playing Test cricket.
“He has informed us that he (Iyer) will be taking a break from red ball cricket, and it’s good that he has cleared it out because selectors are now clear about his future. He won’t be playing red ball cricket in coming months, and he has informed the board that he will assess his body in future in consultation with physios and trainer and take a call on it,” a source told the aforementioned source.
In recent years, Iyer has battled back issues. He was expected to be chosen for the October home Test series against the West Indies, though. Iyer’s choice to avoid playing red-ball cricket now may pave the way for his international return in Australia following the Test matches against the West Indies. The Australians will face the Men in Blue in three One-Day Internationals.
