Dropped from India Cricket Team and BCCI contract, Shreyas Iyer needed to response. And he has chosen Ranji Trophy final as his stage. At his home ground Wankhede Stadium, in front of Sachin Tendulkar and Kolkata Knight Riders coach Chandrakant Pandit, Shreyas Iyer slowed glimpses of his class en route 111-ball 95 in Mumbai vs Vidarbha final even though he missed out on the ton by 5 runs. With IPL 2024 beginning on March 22, it will come as a relief for KKR fans as he will play a crucial role as the captain of the ship.
Shreyas Iyer conundrum
With 35, 13, 27 and 29, Shreyas Iyer failed to impress the selectors and the India team management. He was released from the India squad for IND vs ENG Test. Iyer was asked to play Ranji Trophy for Mumbai.
However, Iyer skipped after complaining of back spasm. He had to undergo surgery for his back problem last year. But the National Cricket Academy (NCA) cleared him from any injury scare.
Yet, Iyer pulled out of Ranji Trophy quarterfinals. That did not sit well with the selectors and the BCCI. From an all-format player, Iyer was without a central contract in no time.
With BCI issuing diktat that every player unless injured should be available for their state teams, Shreyas Iyer finally returned to the Ranji fold.
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However, Shreyas Iyer struggled on return to domestic. In the semifinals against Tamil Nadu, Iyer was dismissed by Sandeep Warrier for an 8-ball 3, raising concerns on his fitness once again.
But this half-century in Ranji Trophy final will alleviate the fears. He looked in rhythm and in touch. With KKR vs SRH on March 23 signalling the start of IPL 2024 campaign for him, he will be in a good space.
If he has to break down the Team India door once again, he needs to shine with the bat. He needs to score tons of runs as the battle for a spot in T20 World Cup will be difficult. And with his first fifty since ouster from Team India, he realises the battle he has on his hands. There was no extravagant celebration; only an acknowledgement to the home crowd that turned up to watch him bat. And with Tendulkar and Pandit in the gallery, he only thanked them with a thumbs up as the legend applauded his efforts.
“For sure, IPL will play a massive role in selection of all players in T20 World Cup,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
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