By The status of Shreyas Iyer’s fitness continues to puzzle observers, with conflicting reports emerging regarding his injury and availability for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL). While some sources suggest that he may miss a few initial games in the IPL, authorities involved have maintained that his participation is not in doubt. However, it is notable that Iyer did not take the field during Vidarbha’s second innings in the recent Ranji Trophy final.
“There is no reason for concern; he is well and will join the Kolkata camp for the IPL in two days,” stated Mumbai team manager Bhushan Patil. Kolkata Knight Riders officials have also indicated that they have not received any conflicting information regarding Iyer’s fitness. However, neither Iyer nor his team has issued an official statement regarding his current status.
After his innings of 95 in the Ranji final’s second innings, Iyer complained of back pain and underwent scans. Sources within the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) have informed Cricbuzz that the scan reports are inconclusive, and the exact diagnosis will be known once the MCA receives feedback from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
It is now evident that Iyer had a problematic back when he missed the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal, although the NCA did not detect any issues at that time. His decision to skip the quarterfinal led to him being left out of the central contract list, amidst criticism that he was prioritizing the IPL over domestic cricket. Despite missing the quarterfinal due to his back, Iyer played in the semifinal and the final of the Ranji Trophy.
“Iyer was part of the Mumbai team for the semifinal. He had also played a Ranji game as requested by the Indian team management just before the Test series against England. So, it’s not like he refused to play Ranji Trophy at all. He did miss the quarterfinal, but he had informed the team management about his inability to play the third Test match due to back pain if he batted for an extended period,” wrote Sunil Gavaskar in Mid-Day last month, defending Iyer.
The latest update on the player, however, presents a different picture. There are indications that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) might reconsider its decision to exclude Iyer from the contract list, with speculation that he may be reinstated. When asked about this, a senior BCCI official stated that no decision has been made yet, but did not rule out the possibility.
