Shreyas Iyer Declared Fit By NCA, Likely To Comeback In IPL 2021

India’s middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer has been declared fit by the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

Earlier in March, the 26-year-old Iyer sustained a shoulder dislocation during the first ODI against England in Pune and the player had to undergo surgery in the United Kingdom. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that Shreyas Iyer has received a certificate from NCA after completing his fitness program at the academy.

NCA issues Shreyas Iyer a fit certificate

“Yes, NCA has issued a fit certificate to Shreyas (Iyer). He stayed in Bengaluru at the NCA for a week and his final assessment has happened a few days back. Based on all medical and physical parameters, he is now ready to play matches,” a senior BCCI source told PTI on the condition of anonymity.

“This couldn’t have happened at a better time with India”s T20 World Cup campaign in two months’ time,” he added. 

Iyer was a regular in India’s white-ball cricket plans and has donned the Blue colors in 22 ODIs and 28 T20Is so far since he made his international debut in 2017 against New Zealand. Due to the injury, Iyer was missed in second-string India’s limited-overs squad that toured Sri Lanka in July.

Shreyas Iyer or Rishabh Pant for Delhi Capitals captaincy role?

Iyer missed the first part of IPL 2021, which got suspended owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, and is likely to join Delhi Capitals in the second phase of the IPL 2021, which will be played in September in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In Shreyas Iyer’s absence, the team management passed the baton to wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant to lead the Delhi outfit. Pant did a great job in his new role, as the Capitals currently sits on the top of the points table, having won six of their eight games in IPL 2021 so far.

Iyer took over the captaincy reins from Gautam Gambhir in 2017 and since then the Delhi Capitals have progressed under his leadership and last year they made their maiden appearance in the IPL final where they lost to Mumbai Indians by five wickets.

It is unclear whether Iyer will reinstate the captain’s role once the IPL resumes or will Pant continue as the team’s leader for the remaining edition.

Also Read: India vs England 2021: Kamran Akmal Heaps Praise On Rishabh Pant’s Wicket-Keeping Skills