Shreyas Iyer writes to BCCI, wants break from red-ball cricket

The Indian Express understands that Iyer informed selectors that he is facing stiffness in his back and his body cannot take the toll of the red ball cricket anymore. It is learnt that Iyer can’t be on the field for more than four days and as a reason he is thinking of taking a break until his body allows him to play longer format. Iyer informed the board that he played Ranji Trophy game last year where he managed to take a break in between the overs, however, he cannot do the same for India A or while 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 confirmed.

Iyer was in contention for two Test matches to be played at home against the West Indies starting next month. In order to get some match practice, the selectors had named him the captain of India A for two four game against Australia A. Iyer, who had a good season for Punjab Kings this IPL season, was ignored for the ongoing Asia Cup. The Punjab Kings skipper impressed everyone with his aggressive approach with the bat and many thought it was unfair of him not boarding the flight to Dubai with the Indian team.

This is not the first time Iyer has been facing a back issue which has concerned his future. Last year too he missed the India vs England series at home due to a back injury. Last year his name was surrounded in controversy after Iyer had informed the Mumbai Cricket Association that he was not available for selection for the Ranji Trophy quarterfinals. However, Nitin Patel, then head of sports science and medicine at the National Cricket Academy, in an email to selectors had differed with Iyer saying he has ‘no fresh injury’ reports and he was ‘fit’.

Iyer then too had cited back pain as reason for sitting out of the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal game versus Baroda. But Patel in his email, which was seen by The Indian Express, wrote: “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.”