Indian middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer is in danger of missing the last three Test matches against England due to an injury.
Kartikey News has learnt that Iyer has complained of stiffness in the back and pain in the groin area while playing forward defence, putting his participation in doubt. More so, because while the playing kits of the entire squad for the second Test was flown from Vizag directly to Rajkot, the venue of the third Test that begins on February 15, Iyer’s equipment was sent to his home in Mumbai.
The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is likely to name the India squad for the remainder of the five-match series, which is tantalisingly poised at 1-1, on Friday.
Sources said Iyer will be sent to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore for further tests but the batsman hopes to return to competitive cricket by the time the Indian Premier League begins next month. Last year, Iyer had undergone surgery following a back injury.
“Iyer has informed the Indian team management and the medical staff that his back gets stiff after playing more than 30 balls and he feels pain in his groin while playing forward defence,” a source told The Indian Express. “Post surgery, he is facing this issue for the first time so he has been advised to rest for a few weeks. He will head to NCA later.”
If he does miss out, the selection committee will have to take a call on his replacement as KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, who missed out on the last Test due to injury, are expected to be back for the Rajkot Test. In such a scenario, it will be interesting to see if Rajat Patidar – who made his debut in Vizag – gets another opportunity.
The selection committee was scheduled to pick the team on Thursday but decided to wait for one more day to confirm the availability of former captain Virat Kohli.
Kohli’s participation in the third Test looks doubtful but the selectors wanted to know whether he will be available for the last two Test matches. The Indian ace had withdrawn from the ongoing series citing personal reasons.
The rest of the squad, which is on a short break, has been asked to assemble in Rajkot on February 11 and training will resume the following day.
