Just when it seemed India would have their full-strength squad back before World Cup 2023, there is a setback, again. Shreyas Iyer who returned to the line-up after 5 months following a back injury, is injured once again. On the eve of India vs Pakistan match, Shreyas Iyer suffered a back spasm, ruling him out of the crucial Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 clash.
“Shreyas Iyer just got a back spasm so KL Rahul comes in for him,” Rohit Sharma confirmed at the toss on Sunday.
India Cricket Team has been struggling with injury crisis for more than a year. India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 clash was where head coach Rahul Dravid would have got the full-strength squad back barring Rishabh Pant. However, it is not the case anymore.
Shreyas Iyer being the designated No 4 batter is crucial to India’s plans. However, he misses out once again, adding to India’s frustration. In fact, it was at the last moment when Iyer complained of a back issue while warming up ahead of the match. Even in the original team sheet, Iyer was at No 4, only to be replaced by KL Rahul when the final team was submitted.
Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar was also frustrated with Shreyas Iyer’s situation. He questioned the batter’s fitness level after returning from injury only 15 days ago.
However, the timing of Iyer’s injury also raises suspicion. India wanted to have KL Rahul back. And with Ishan Kishan in good form, Iyer was the only batter who could have been benched. And conveniently, he suffered a back spasm.
Shreyas Iyer Injury Update
- In March, Iyer complained of back pain after Day 3’s of the fourth test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. From the initial review, Iyer has a recurrence of his back injury that kept him out of the first test.
- He underwent back surgery in London in April and missed the entire IPL 2023.
- Iyer missed the World Test Championship 2023 Final against Australia in June.
- Iyer missed the India tour of the West Indies 2023.
- In July, BCCI issued a statement stating Iyer’s is still under rehab at NCA and the date of his comeback is August.
- Iyer missed the IND vs IRE T20 series in August.
- After passing the fitness test, Iyer was picked for Asia Cup 2023 squad.
- But after playing just two games, Iyer has suffered an injury again.
- He got ruled out of IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 clash with back spasm.
More to follow…
