BCCI’s chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, has addressed any worries regarding batter Shreyas Iyer‘s fitness leading up to the World Cup. Agarkar has confidently stated that Iyer is in good health, which is the reason for his inclusion in the ODI squad for the series against Australia.
Shreyas Iyer has faced several injury setbacks in the past year. After a period of absence due to a back injury, he returned to play in the recently concluded Asia Cup.
Unfortunately, the 28-year-old experienced back spasms just before the Super 4 game against Pakistan and had to be substituted by KL Rahul. As a result, he was unable to participate in the following matches of the competition.
During a virtual conference on Monday, September 18, Agarkar provided an encouraging update regarding Shreyas:
“He’s not picked up a stress fracture; otherwise he wouldn’t be in the squad. He’s fine – whether he’s batting, fielding. At the moment, he’s fit; that’s why we picked him in the squad. We are hopeful that he gets through all these three games.”
“He’s worked incredibly hard over the last many months to be at this stage, to be fit. Fortunately for him, it wasn’t a massive injury, but he did pick up a niggle. He’ll have to get through these games, and we are hopeful that he will. At the moment, he is fine,” Agarkar added.
Shreyas took to the crease in the group match against Pakistan in Pallekele but was caught out for 14 while attempting to play a pull shot off Haris Rauf’s delivery.
“Don’t think team management will pick him” – Gautam Gambhir’s views on Shreyas Iyer’s prospects in the World Cup
Former India opener Gautam Gambhir has made a prediction that Shreyas Iyer will not be included in India’s World Cup squad due to his recurring back injury issues.
Gambhir believes that the team management won’t take the risk of including an injury-prone batter in such a significant event like the World Cup. He expressed this opinion during a conversation on Star Sports.
“It is a concern. You were out for such a lengthy time, and, then, you return for the Asia Cup, play one match and then again become unfit. I don’t think after this team management will pick up him for such a big tournament.”
“You will see in the coming days that Iyer won’t be part of the World Cup squad, and someone will be replacing him. You should always go into a World Cup with fit players. Performance is a different thing.”
Shreyas has participated in 44 ODIs for India, accumulating 1645 runs with an average of 45.69, which includes two centuries and 14 half-centuries.
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