India SA Test Series: Is BCCI misleading? Iyer out Vihari in

India SA Test Series: After Rahane in Mumbai, Iyer mysteriously ruled out – Then Ajinkya Rahane and now Shreyas Iyer, mysterious last moment injuries seem to be the new norm for BCCI. Rahane was ruled out of the 2nd Test against New Zealand in Mumbai mysteriously & now Shreyas Iyer stands unavailable for selection due to a stomach bug in the 2nd Test declared. The last minute information by the board makes us ask – whether BCCI is misleading? Follow IND vs SA Live Updates on InsiderSport.IN

Injuries aren’t surprising, but the last-minute mysterious injuries & stomach bug surely are.

SAMPLE this –

India vs South Africa 2nd Test – SHREYAS IYER ‘STOMACH BUG’: Iyer till yesterday’s practice session was all good. Even on the NEW-YEAR eve he was seen dancing to SAMBA Tunes with his teammates.

India SA Test Series: Is BCCI misleading media? Hanuma Vihari preferred over Shreyas Iyer, BCCI says ‘Iyer not fit’

But all of a sudden BCCI informs 30 minutes into the 2nd Test – he has a STOMACH BUG & was not considered for the selection.

A one-line statement from BCCI read, “Team India batsman Shreyas Iyer was also ruled out of selection for the 2nd Test owing to a stomach bug.”

Now one would ask – Is it done to avoid the uncomfortable questions on why & how a CENTURION gets dropped for Hanuma Vihari, off-colour Cheteshwar Pujara & Anjikya Rahane?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shreyas Iyer (@shreyas41)

India SA Test Series: Is BCCI misleading media? Hanuma Vihari preferred over Shreyas Iyer, BCCI says ‘Iyer not fit’

This was not the 1st time. Even during the 2nd Test in just-concluded home series vs New Zealand, BCCI mysteriously declared that ‘Ajinkya Rahane is injured and was not considered for selection’.

The eyebrows were raised than as well. That why BCCI refrained from saying that RAHANE because of lack of runs has been dropped and instead decided to hide behind last minute MYSTERIOUS INJURY to then vice-captain.

India SA Test Series: Is BCCI misleading media? Hanuma Vihari preferred over Shreyas Iyer, BCCI says ‘Iyer not fit’

Iyer himself posted videos and photographs and he was seen partying on New Year’s eve. He was also amongst the players who were warming up on the morning of the Johannesburg Test, only to suffer a stomach bug at the last moment.

For Virat Kohli, who suffered an upper back spasm, BCCI spared a few more lines.

“Team India captain Mr Virat Kohli had a spasm on his upper back this morning. He won’t feature in the second Test against South Africa at The Wanderers. The BCCI medical team will be monitoring him during the course of this Test match. KL Rahul will captain the side in his absence. The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Jasprit Bumrah as vice-captain for the 2nd Test,” BCCI statement read.

Preparations done ✅

Just a matter of few hours before the LIVE action begins at the Wanderers. 👊💪#TeamIndia | #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/LrPJPSkuVF
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 3, 2022

India SA Test Series: Why is Shreyas Iyer’s sudden illness mysterious?

Shreyas Iyer was seen partying on New Year’s eve.
He was amongst the players to take the ground on the morning of the Johannesburg Test.
Only five minutes before the Toss, he was ruled out due to a ‘stomach bug’ with Hanuma Vihari getting a place ahead of him.
Had Iyer been fit, it would have been difficult for the team management to drop him.
Ajinkya Rahane was mysteriously ruled out from the 2nd Test against New Zealand after enduring a poor run in the 1st Test.
The same was the case for Ishant Sharma. He returned with no wickets and was out of his rhythm, only to suffer an injury.

India SA Test Series: Is BCCI misleading media? Hanuma Vihari preferred over Shreyas Iyer, BCCI says ‘Iyer not fit’

“Ajinkya Rahane sustained a minor left hamstring strain while fielding on the final day of the 1st Test match in Kanpur. Since he has not recovered completely, he has been ruled out of the 2nd Test in Mumbai. His progress will be closely monitored by the BCCI Medical team,” BCCI said in a statement for Rahane.

This raises an important question, was it to accommodate Hanuma Vihari in the Playing XI? BCCI and the team management have been under fire for not doing justice to Hanuma Vihari, who has rather remained a tour player despite Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane out of form.

If Hanuma Vihari scored three consecutive half-centuries on India A tour of South Africa, Shreyas Iyer slammed a century on his Test debut in Kanpur against New Zealand. As Virat Kohli was coming back, Iyer had to be dropped from Mumbai Test and the only place he could take was of Rahane, who suffered an injury at the last moment.

India SA Test Series: Is BCCI misleading media? Hanuma Vihari preferred over Shreyas Iyer, BCCI says ‘Iyer not fit’

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