Shreyas Iyer has not been included in India’s Test squad for the last three matches against England, leading to speculation whether the middle-order batter was dropped or unavailable due to injury.
What’s the story?
India announced a 16-member squad for the remaining three Tests in Rajkot, Ranchi and Dharamsala, with Iyer’s name absent from the list.
Iyer was part of the XI for the first two Tests in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam, scoring 25 & 13 and 27 & 29.
India's squad for the last three Tests against England has been announced.
Akash Deep gets his maiden call-up.
*Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul's inclusion is subject to fitness. #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/YSITmX0uH0
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) February 10, 2024
Is Iyer injured?
Ahead of India’s squad announcement, reports in The Indian Express and Cricbuzz stated that Iyer was carrying back stiffness and groin injury, which would rule him out of at least the Rajkot Test, if not the full series.
The Express report said: “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.”
“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 [National Cricket Academy] later.”
The back surgery being referred to is the one he underwent in April last year, after his back issues flared up during the India-Australia Test series in 2023. It kept him out of the IPL, returning to play in the Asia Cup.
Virat Kohli has not played in only three Test series since his debut.
He took part in 18 consecutive Test series before opting out of the ongoing #INDvsENG matches. pic.twitter.com/kWGPXEfS9I
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) February 10, 2024
The missing clarification
Iyer’s absence wasn’t clarified in the BCCI statement, suggesting that he might have been dropped. Either side of the injury and rehabilitation, his poor run of form has been a topic of debate for a while. In the last 13 Test innings, Iyer hasn’t made a half-century. In 2023, he averaged 13.16 in four Tests, and 21.60 from three Tests this year.
The BCCI’s statement had a word each on Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul’s availability – both returning from injury – but if Iyer’s reported injury did not get a clarification, it suggests that Iyer’s poor form could have resulted in his absence.
Since there is no mention of the much publicised back injury of Shreyas Iyer in the media release can we say he is dropped ? And what happened to the ' reliable source ' story of Bumrah being rested for the Rajkot Test ? He is appointed Vice Captain for the next 3 Tests.
— Makarand Waingankar (@wmakarand) February 10, 2024
https://twitter.com/cricketingview/status/1756187203137409533
There has been nothing officially said about Shreyas Iyer's groin pain and stiff back. It seems like he is dropped for his performances.
Good for him as he needs to get out of the firing line and go back and play Ranji Trophy for Mumbai.
— Anuj Nitin Prabhu (@APTalksCricket) February 10, 2024
