India Squad for Asia Cup 2023: Shreyas Iyer Ticks Most Of Boxes In Fitness Training, Likely To Be Roped In India's Squad- Reports

Right-handed batsman, Shreyas Iyer is yet to take part in a competitive match after the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy match against the Aussies in March 2023.

Following Shreyas Iyer’s back injury, the 28-year-old traveled to London to get done with the surgery which enforced him from taking part in the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with his Kolkata-based franchise.

Shreyas Iyer was supposed to be picked in the ongoing three-match T20I series against Ireland but since the right-handed batsman could not finish his recovery fully, the National Cricket Academy (NCA) committee felt that he needed more time to complete his rehabilitation process.

According to reports by ESPNCricinfo, VVS Laxman who is the chief of NCA, and Hrishikesh Kanitkar, the batting coach have assessed Shreyas Iyer’s recovery process and ticked most of the boxes since the 28-year-old batted for 38 overs and fielded for 50 without any pain or discomfort in the first practice match earlier this week.

There will be another second practice match to be held on Sunday (August 20) where Shreyas Iyer will again hit the field along with KL Rahul, who is also out of the Men in Blues squad for the time being due to injury.

KL Rahul, who also plays a vital role at the number 4 place on the batting order received a thigh injury during an IPL 2023 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) following which he was pulled out of the pitch and had to go through a surgery. KL Rahul is also at NCA completing his recovery process along with Shreyas Iyer.

We have a few guys coming back from injuries in any case: Rahul Dravid gives updates on Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul’s injury

After the fifth and final T20I match of the series against West Indies, India head coach Rahul Dravid gave hope to the Men in Blues cricket fans and said that many players who are injured will be joining the squad in the forthcoming days.

Dravid also said that the returning players will get opportunities in the Asia Cup which will start at the end of August.

“We have a few guys coming back from injuries in any case. We are going to have to give them opportunities to play [in the Asia Cup]. I haven’t really thought about the Asia Cup at this stage. We have a one-week camp in Bengaluru from August 23. We’ll be assembling there as a one-day team. We will take it as it comes,” Rahul Dravid said after the 5th T20I match vs West Indies in Florida, USA.

India will play their opening match in the Asia Cup 2023 against their arch-rivals, Pakistan on Saturday (September 2nd) at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka.