IND vs AUS Test: Shreyas Iyer Injury – India vs Australia Test: Shreyas Iyer is likely to miss the Australia Test series after suffering a back injury. While he was certain to play against Australia in the first two Tests, he is now a “big doubt” as per a senior BCCI official. But even though selectors omitted him from the NewZealand series, they still hope for him to be fit by February 9 for the 1st Test in Nagpur. Instead, Suryakumar Yadav has emerged as the big favourite to make his Test debut. Meanwhile if Iyer’s injury doesn’t heal, his Mumbai teammate Sarfaraz Khan can be added to the squad: Follow IND vs AUS LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
Shreyas will report at the NCA in a couple of days and will begin his rehab. He needs to undergo further tests to understand the severity. From what we know so far, he is a big doubt for the first 2-3 Tests. But we still have time and if he does recover in time, then obviously he will play,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
IND vs AUS Test: SKY set to make TEST DEBUT as Shreyas Iyer ‘Doubtful’ for 1st TEST, Sarfaraz Khan can be added to TEST SQUAD for Australia series: Follow LIVE Updates
BCCI Statement on Shreyas Iyer: Team India batter Shreyas Iyer has been ruled out of the upcoming 3-match ODI series against New Zealand due to a back injury. He will be heading to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for further assessment and management. The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Rajat Patidar as a replacement for Shreyas Iyer.
Why Suryakumar Yadav is likely to make Test debut against Australia?
- Shreyas Iyer has a back injury and he will report to the NCA.
- He needs further injury assessment to understand the extent of it.
- While Shubman Gill is the frontrunner to take Iyer’s place in the middle-order with KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma opening, SKY could play a role in the series.
- SKY has already scored a ton of runs in T20s. While he is yet to cement his spot in the ODIs, he is just one good knock away from making his spot permanent in ODI XI.
- He will also be in the running for a Test debut if he gets runs in the NZ ODI series.
- Suryakumar recently returned to Ranji Trophy and did not disappoint.
- He scored two 90+ scores in the Ranji Trophy in four innings.
- Surya received his maiden Test call-up on England tour as a backup to Mayank Agarwal.
- Furthermore, India also seek an attacking batter in the middle order in Rishabh Pant’s absence.
- That could give him the nod ahead of Shubman Gill.
Shreyas Iyer Injury: Suryakumar Yadav likely to make TEST DEBUT as Iyer ‘BIG DOUBT’ against Australia series despite Sarfaraz Khan exploits, Follow IND vs AUS LIVE Updates
If Shreyas is ruled out, SKY is set for India debut. Within two years of making his India debut, Suryakumar Yadav has skyrocketed to World No 1 spot in T20I rankings and India T20 vice-captaincy.
While he is also in ODI World Cup plans, considering the experience he has in First Class, he is the next in line to don India whites as well. The reason is his exploits in international cricket.
With Ajinkya Rahane out of favour, India seek middle order reinforcement. Shreyas Iyer has cemented his place with a few good knocks. But while he has struggled against short balls, there appear to be no such weaknesses of Suryakumar Yadav in white-ball cricket. Hence, selectors are considering him for the No 5 spot if Iyer is ruled out.
“That is the succession plan. Since Rishabh is not available and with him, if Shreyas is also not available, then Surya is the next one in line. That is the reason he earned a Test call-up. But for now, focus is on Shreyas’ recovery. He has become an asset in home conditions and has done reasonably well in Tests too,” the official said.
Shreyas Iyer Injury: Suryakumar Yadav likely to make TEST DEBUT as Iyer ‘BIG DOUBT’ against Australia series despite Sarfaraz Khan exploits, Follow IND vs AUS LIVE Updates
What about Sarfaraz Khan?
Despite his Ranji Trophy exploits, Sarfaraz Khan is yet to impress selectors in the India A tour. In the recently concluded India A tour of Bangladesh, Sarfaraz scored 21 and 0. Before that, against NewZealand at home, he scored 99 runs in 3 innings. In SouthAfrica, he managed 85 in 2 innings.
Hundred and counting! 💯
Yet another impressive knock from Sarfaraz Khan 👏👏
Follow the Match ▶️ https://t.co/sV1If1IQmA#RanjiTrophy | #DELvMUM | @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/GIRosM7l14
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) January 17, 2023
“He has to wait for his chance. He has done a fantastic job in domestic cricket. But he hasn’t quite managed the same feat for India A. To make it to the Test team, he has to score runs for India A whenever he gets the chance. When he gets runs against international bowlers in difficult conditions, he will be in the running,” the BCCI official said.
Shreyas Iyer Injury: Suryakumar Yadav likely to make TEST DEBUT as Iyer ‘BIG DOUBT’ against Australia series despite Sarfaraz Khan exploits, Follow IND vs AUS LIVE Updates
India’s Test squad for the first two Tests against Australia: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), R. Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Suryakumar Yadav.
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