Shreyas Iyer likely to miss ODI series against Australia
India batter Shreyas Iyer was unavailable to bat on Day 4 of the ongoing fourth Test between India and Australia due to a recurring back injury. According to reports, Iyer felt pain in his lower back, which forced him out of India’s first innings.
Wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat walked in to bat in place of Iyer after India lost their fourth wicket. Meanwhile, Iyer is understood to be in doubt for the three-match ODI series. India will play it’s first ODI against Australia on March 17 in Mumbai.
“Shreyas Iyer complained of pain in his lower back following the third day’s play. He has gone for scans and the BCCI Medical Team is monitoring him,” BCCI said in a medical update.
The 28-year-old had also missed the first Test in Nagpur due to a back issue. In January 2023, a similar back injury had ruled him out of the three match-ODI series against New Zealand. He was out for a month and had gone through intense rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy. He marked his return in the second Test at New Delhi.
With Iyer’s injury resurfacing, questions are once again being raised if NCA gave a nod to a player who was not fully fit. After the T20 World Cup ended, former Chief selector Chetan Sharma had said that Jasprit Bumrah was rushed into action ahead of the World Cup last year, which worsened his injury.
