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Indian middle order batsman Shreyas Iyer is in danger of missing the last three Test matches against England due to injury.
The Indian Express has learned that Iyer has complained of back stiffness and pain in the groin area while playing in the forward defense, putting his participation in doubt. More so, because while the entire team’s playing uniforms for the second Test were flown from Vizag directly to Rajkot, venue of the third Test starting on February 15, Iyer’s team was sent to his home in Mumbai.
The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is likely to name India’s squad for the remainder of the five-match series, which is tantalizingly positioned at 1-1, on Friday.
Sources said Iyer will be sent to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru for further tests, but the batsman hopes to return to competitive cricket when the Indian Premier League begins next month. Last year, Iyer underwent surgery following a back injury.
“Iyer has informed the Indian team management and medical staff that his back gets stiff after playing more than 30 balls and he feels pain in his groin while playing as a defender,” a source told The Indian Express. “After the surgery, he is facing this problem for the first time, so he was advised to rest for a few weeks. He will address the NCA later.”
If he misses out, the selection committee will have to look for his replacement as KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, who missed the last Test due to injury, are expected to return for the Rajkot Test. In such a scenario, it will be interesting to see if Rajat Patidar, who debuted in Vizag, gets another chance.
The selection committee was scheduled to pick the team on Thursday but decided to wait an extra day to confirm former captain Virat Kohli’s availability.
Kohli’s participation in the third Test seems doubtful but the selectors wanted to know if he will be available for the last two Test matches. The Indian ace had withdrawn from the ongoing series due to personal reasons.
The rest of the team, which is on a short break, will assemble in Rajkot on February 11 and training will resume the next day.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
First uploaded on: 09/02/2024 at 11:36 IST