Middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer is possibly in line to miss the first few games for Kolkata Knight Riders in the upcoming 2024 edition of Indian Premier League. Iyer has been dealing with back spasms for a while now and it was the same injury for which he underwent surgery last year and had to miss the entire IPL 2023.
These reports are being indicated by Times of India after Shreyas Iyer missed day 4 of Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy 2024 finale against Vidarbha here at the iconic Wankhede stadium. The reports have suggested that the right-hand batter has undergone several scans after pulling himself out of the team for day 4 with Vidarbha still requiring another 287 runs to win.
Shreyas Iyer to not come out for day 5 of Ranji Trophy final
Because of his recurring back injury, Shreyas Iyer is unexpected to take the field at Wankhede when Mumbai comes out for their target defense of 538. The 41-time champions who are aiming to land their 42nd Ranji Trophy silverware, have somehow been lucky as Iyer played a key role with the bat during the 3rd innings.
The 29-year-old after going flop along with most of his Mumbai teammates including skipper Ajinkya Rahane, Iyer came out on top during his side’s 2nd innings. He had got out for just 7 runs after Rahane won the toss and elected to bat first in a Wankhede track which has a good covering of grass.
Shreyas Iyer was sent back to the pavilion off veteran pacer Umesh Yadav with an outside off delivery which was to be left but Iyer’s late decision to bring the bat out saw him get caught at 1st slip. However, in the 2nd innings, Iyer was determined to make his mark in the finale.
He was looking fresh, confident, and willing to contribute and so he did. Iyer played his trademark shots, respected the well-bowled deliveries, and negotiated well against the spinners. As Sachin Tendulkar had said the Wankhede track will offer assistance to spinners as the game proceeds, and the same happened as well.
Following a crumbling start which saw openers Prithvi Shaw and Bhupen Lalwani get out for 11 and 18, number 3 and 4 batters – Musheer Khan and Rahane stood for a 130-run partnership. After Rahane departed for 73, Shreyas Iyer walked in and further stretched Mumbai’s lead with a 168-run stand. Iyer eventually went back for 95 off 111 and then after coming back to the dressing room, he reported back pain.
Shreyas Iyer’s back aggravated
According to the same source (TOI), Shreyas Iyer’s worsened back condition has further escalated and is most likely to miss the first few games of IPL 2024.
“It’s not looking good. It’s the same back injury which has got aggravated. It’s unlikely that he will take the field on Day 5 of the Ranji Trophy final. He is in danger of missing the initial matches of the IPL. During the recently-held Test series against England at home, he had told the Indian team management about this injury troubling him again.” – the source told TOI.
