Shreyas Iyer seeks a break from Red-ball cricket as he complains of constant discomfort during his exertions.
Shreyas Iyer requests break from red-ball cricket.
Shreyas Iyer wishes to take a break from playing first-class and Test cricket. In order to reset his fitness routine, the middle-order batsman for India has asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to let him to temporarily halt his red-ball career.
This development follows his decision to skip the four-day match against Australia A. He spoke with top selector Ajit Agarkar and sent a request to the BCCI following the first game in Lucknow last week.
His uneasiness during the Duleep Trophy, where he represented West Zone earlier this month, served as the impetus for the decision. He felt the same way during last week’s India A vs. Australia A match. Before departing Lucknow for Mumbai, he wrote to the BCCI and interacted with India A coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar and the BCCI physios right after the game.
However, Iyer, who had back surgery in 2023, is not quite ending his Test career. “He’s just looking for a vacation. He will restart his red-ball career and return stronger after improving his fitness. He is probably going to miss the next Ranji season. Iyer has participated in 70 first-class games, primarily for Mumbai, and has played 14 Test matches thus far.
But Iyer plans to stay in the white-ball game. It should come as no surprise if he is selected for the T20I team as well, and he should be a lock to start the ODI series in Australia. Between October 19 and November 8, India will play five Twenty20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals.