The National Cricket Academy (NCA) sent an email to the selectors. They claim Shreyas Iyer is “healthy and ready for selection.” This happens even though Shreyas Iyer a Mumbai batter, pulled out of the Ranji Trophy quarter-finals against Baroda. The reason was “back spasms.”
The Indian Express obtained an email from Nitin Patel, the NCA’s head of sports science and medicine and a former India physiotherapist. In the email, Patel stated that Shreyas had “no fresh injuries” after departing the Indian camp following the second Test against England.
“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,” the email read, according to the report.
A few weeks back, Shreyas Iyer took up Ranji Trophy again after five years. It was his prep for the England Test series. After two tests, his scores were 35, 13, 27, and 29. But, they stopped selecting him past that point.
Did he suffer from back pain? Some people claimed he did, but the India Cricket Board (BCCI) hasn’t made any statement about it.
Shreyas was expected to go immediately to Mumbai, especially after the BCCI urged players to prioritize the domestic cricket over IPL.
However, on Wednesday, February 21, various reports claimed Maharashtra Cricket Association insiders as stating Shreyas declared himself unfit, which was viewed as a reoccurring issue for him.
Sarfaraz, Patidar get another opportunity to impress in Ranchi Test
In Shreyas Iyer’s absence, Sarfaraz Khan shined for India on debut, scoring double half-centuries in Rajkot.
With KL Rahul also out for the fourth Test, Sarfaraz and Rajat Patidar, who have failed to produce consistent results, will have another chance to cement their spot in the side for the remainder of the World Test Championship (WTC) season.
India and England are set for the fourth Test. It starts on February 23, this coming Friday, in Ranchi.