An email from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) to selectors asserts that Shreyas Iyer is “fit and available for selection.” This comes despite the Mumbai batsman withdrawing from the Ranji Trophy quarter-finals against Baroda, citing “back spasms.”
The Indian Express obtained an email from Nitin Patel, the head of sports science and medicine at the NCA, stating that Shreyas had “no fresh injuries” after departing from the Indian camp following the second Test against England.
“Shreyas Iyer was fit and available for selection as per the handover report of the Indian team after the 2nd Test match against England. There are currently no fresh injuries reported as well after his departure from Team India,” the email read, according to the report.
A couple of weeks ago, Shreyas participated in the Ranji Trophy after a five-year gap to ready himself for the current Test series against England. However, the 29-year-old was excluded after the first two Tests, during which he scored 35, 13, 27, and 29.
While there were reports indicating potential back problems, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) did not officially mention any such issue at that time. Shreyas was anticipated to directly join Mumbai, particularly after the BCCI cautioned players to prioritize IPL over domestic cricket.
However, on February 21, several reports, citing sources in the Maharashtra Cricket Association, indicated that Shreyas deemed himself unfit, suggesting a recurrence of the previous issue troubling him.
Sarfaraz Khan and Rajat Patidar receive additional opportunities to strengthen their positions in the Test eleven
In the absence of Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan made a notable debut with two half-centuries in Rajkot.
With KL Rahul also not available for the fourth Test, both Sarfaraz and Rajat Patidar, who hasn’t consistently delivered, will have another opportunity to establish themselves in the team for the remaining part of the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
The fourth Test between India and England commences in Ranchi on Friday, February 23.
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