Shreyas Iyer cleared for selection for last 3 England Tests amid injury concerns - Reports

Indian middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer has been declared fit for selection in the remaining three Tests against England. Despite his clearance, Shreyas Iyer faces the possibility of being excluded from the Indian Test squad due to a series of low scores in red-ball cricket.

Shreyas hasn’t managed to surpass the fifty-run milestone despite getting starts in the ongoing five-match Test series against the Ben Stokes-led side. The right-handed batter has only scored 104 runs at a disappointing average of 26, with his best score being 35.

Selectors must decide between Iyer and Rajat Patidar as KL Rahul nears his return for the third Test of the ongoing red ball series. Rahul missed the second Test due to a quad niggle. The selection committee has yet to announce the squad for the last three matches.

Shreyas Iyer cleared for selection for last 3 England Tests – Reports

According to ESPNcricinfo, Shreyas Iyer reported experiencing back spasms to the team management shortly after the second Test in Visakhapatnam. However, the BCCI medical staff has reportedly given Iyer the green light for selection despite his discomfort.

Last April, he underwent back surgery to address a slipped disc. Iyer returned to represent India in the Asia Cup. However, recurring back spasms limited his involvement to just two matches. He delivered impactful performances in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 at home.

Iyer was excluded from India’s T20I lineup against Afghanistan in January. Iyer proved his readiness for the England Test series by participating in a Ranji Trophy fixture for Mumbai against Andhra. During the domestic match, he batted once and scored 48 runs.

Initially uncertain about his spot in the XI, Shreyas Iyer competed with KL Rahul for a middle-order position. With Virat Kohli absent for the first two Tests, both Rahul and Iyer secured spots. Iyer failed to make the most of the opportunity in the first two Test matches.

Shreyas Iyer Might Have To Play For It – Zaheer Khan

Former India pacer Zaheer Khan believes that Shreyas Iyer’s failure to capitalize on crucial moments may lead to his exclusion from the Test squad. Khan highlighted Iyer’s dismissal against Anderson as a missed opportunity.

“You need to understand the moments that are important for you and the team, and I feel that was a moment for Shreyas Iyer as well. Anderson had bowled his spell. Only one fast bowler is playing and after that, spin was going to be used.”

“You have top-class ability for playing spin. So you wasted an opportunity. You lost your wicket while trying to be overdominant and you might have to pay for it, considering the situation you are talking about,” the former India pacer added.

In the second Test against England in Visakhapatnam, Shreyas Iyer contributed 29 runs from 52 balls to India’s total of 255 in the second innings. The Rohit Sharma-led side secured a 106-run victory in the match, leveling the five-match series at 1-1.

Also read: Watch: Shreyas Iyer hits back at Ben Stokes by copying his celebration after running out England captain