Shreyas Iyer: A day after Shreyas Iyer conveyed his unavailability for the Ranji Trophy quarterfinals due to back pain, Nitin Patel, the head of sports science and medicine at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), has contradicted the claim. Patel, in an email to selectors, asserted that there were ‘no fresh injury’ reports, affirming that Shreyas Iyer was ‘fit.’
Shreyas Iyer had informed the Mumbai Cricket Association about his decision to sit out of the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal clash against Baroda, citing back pain. However, Nitin Patel’s email contradicts this claim, stating that Shreyas Iyer was fit and available for selection based on the handover report from the Indian team after the 2nd Test match against England.
Shreyas Iyer – Selectors’ Advice to Play Ranji Trophy
National selectors, considering inputs from the BCCI medical team, had advised Shreyas Iyer to participate in the Ranji Trophy to acclimate his back to the strain of batting and fielding for extended periods.
Shreyas Iyer’s Recent Test Performances
During the first two Tests against England, Shreyas Iyer contributed scores of 35, 13, 27, and 39. Despite these performances, he was dropped from the squad for the last three Test matches. Complaints of back spasms during the second Test had been reported, highlighting concerns about his fitness.
Historical Back Injury and IPL Comeback
Shreyas Iyer had previously missed the IPL last year due to a back injury but made a successful comeback during the Asia Cup. He then showcased his form by amassing 530 runs in the World Cup at home, averaging an impressive 66.25.
Shreyas Iyer – BCCI’s Stance on Domestic Cricket Participation
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, in a recent letter to top cricketers, emphasized the significance of domestic cricket for national team selection. The letter addressed the concern of players prioritizing the IPL over red-ball cricket and highlighted the critical role of domestic cricket in nurturing talent for Team India.
Warning on Non-Participation in Domestic Cricket
Shah’s letter outlined the importance of domestic cricket as the foundation of Indian cricket and asserted that non-participation in domestic cricket would have severe implications for players aspiring to represent India.
