Shreyas Iyer stuns BCCI, refuses Test comeback and demands break from cricket

Indian star cricketer Shreyas Iyer, who recently pulled out of the India A team against Australia A, has informed the BCCI of his decision to take some time off from red-ball cricket. The batter has cited his long-standing back issues as the major reason and would consider playing the format only when his body permits him to take the toll of the 5-day-long format.

India A skipper, Shreyas Iyer, played the first game against Australia A, though he could not contribute much with the bat. He has pulled out of the second ongoing game in Lucknow after consultations with selectors and the chairman of the selection committee, Ajit Agarkar.

Shreyas Iyer considers taking a long break from red-ball cricket

Shreyas Iyer, who has not played a Test match for India in over a year, has taken a major call in his career just when things were seemingly starting to go in his favour. Ahead of the West Indies series, Iyer's return with India A could have set the tone for his much-awaited return to the Indian Test side.

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However, the Indian Express reports that Iyer has informed the selectors that he has been facing stiffness in his back and his body cannot take the toll of the compelling schedule of red-ball cricket anymore. Citing this as the major reason, he is considering taking a break from the format until his body permits him to take the field for such long tenures.

“He has informed us that he (Iyer) will be taking a break from red ball cricket, and it’s good that he has cleared it out because selectors are now clear about his future. He won’t be playing red ball cricket in the coming months, and he has informed the board that he will assess his body in the future in consultation with physios and trainers and take a call on it,” an Indian Express source confirmed.

Shreyas Iyer's back problem has posed a huge concern for his future on several occassions

This is not the first time that Shreyas Iyer has been facing troubles due to his impending back issues. Last year, too, Iyer missed the India vs England series at home due to a back injury. Since then, he has been left out of red-ball action.

He was also surrounded by controversies last year, when he informed the Mumbai Cricket Association of his unavailability for Ranji Trophy selections. Just then, Nitin Patel had reported that Iyer did not have any fresh injuries and claimed him to be fit.

Then, too, Shreyas had cited back pain as the major reason for sitting out of the knockouts of the Ranji Trophy.

Rishabh Pant's absence and Karun Nair's poor performance brought Shreyas Iyer into contention for the two Test matches

Indian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant is among the major pillars in the Indian middle order in red-ball cricket. However, the batter has been ruled out due to an injury sustained during the previous tour of England, and his return date is seemingly nowhere ahead of the West Indies tour.

This leaves a void within the Indian batting order; moreover, Karun Nair, after a disastrous form in the England tour, might not be considered for the home series. As a result of this, Dhruv Jurel, the most likely replacement for Pant, will be roped in; however, Gautam Gambhir's usual need for batting depth would need a convincing batter at no. 5 or no. 6, the position usually occupied by Pant.

As a result of this, Shreyas Iyer was back in contention to seal a spot in the Indian red-ball side for the 2-match home series against the West Indies. With a similar goal, he was appointed as the skipper of the India A side.

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