IND vs PAK: Shreyas Iyer's 199-Run Knock In Practice Match At NCA Helps Him To Convince Selectors - Reports

Right-handed batsman, Shreyas Iyer played a scintillating knock of 199 runs in a practice match at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore which helped him to ensure the India team selectors that he is match fit and can perform again in the middle order.

According to a report by the Times of India, Shreyas Iyer’s 199-run knock helped him to get selected in the 17-member squad of the Men in Blues for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023.

The 28-year-old batsman played a crucial role for the Men in Blues in the middle order at number and has experience in scoring runs in all three formats. However, his back injury in the fourth match of the Border-Gavaskar trophy against Australia forced him to stay away from the field for more than five months.

He had gone through surgery and completed his rehabilitation process at NCA in Bangalore. While the time he was away from the crease, Rohit Sharma-led India suffered to find a replacement at the number four spot. Many players auditioned for that place, but no one could excel like Shreyas Iyer did.

While speaking to TOI, a reliable source at NCA said that Iyer played a 199-run knock in a practice match to give a hint to the selectors that he is fit to take part in a competitive match. After his 199-knock, he fielded in the 50-over match.

“He smashed the bowlers at the National Cricket Academy, scoring 199 in a practice tie. To provide the selectors with more evidence of his fitness, he then fielded for the entire 50 overs of that match, which was held at the Just Cricket Academy in Bangalore 3-4 days back,” source said.

The source added that Shreyas Iyer has been at the NCA in Bangalore for the last two months to recover from his injury after he went through surgery.

“For the past two months, he has been stationed at the NCA in Bangalore, focusing on his recovery. It’s all come together nicely for him,” source added.

I’m super grateful to the people who stood by my side: Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer took to his official Instagram account to appreciate his coaches at the NCA to help him recover from his injury.

“Been a long journey but I’m super grateful to the people who stood by my side to help me to get where I am today. Thank you Nitin bhai, Rajini sir and everyone at The NCA, also outside of it who’ve been tirelessly helping me. Much love and much appreciated,” Iyer wrote on Instagram.

Rohit Sharma-led India will start their Asia Cup 2023 campaign against Pakistan on Saturday (September 2nd) at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka.