India’s injury concerns during the ongoing five-Test series against England seem to be growing, with Shreyas Iyer likely to miss the upcoming Rajkot Test due to back stiffness, as per sources from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).
According to reports, the National Cricket Academy has informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding Iyer’s fitness status. However, the squad for the third Test and beyond is yet to be finalized, with selectors set to convene for a meeting.
Originally scheduled for Thursday (February 8), the selectors’ meeting is now expected to take place today, with an official announcement of the squad to follow thereafter.
This development marks another setback for Iyer, who has been grappling with back issues over the past year. His back troubles previously led to him missing the start of last year’s Border-Gavaskar series. Although he returned to action in August ahead of the Asia Cup after a period of rehabilitation, the recurring problem has persisted.
During the ongoing series against England, India has already been without several key players due to fitness concerns. Mohammed Shami, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja were absent from the squad in Vizag due to various fitness issues. Despite these setbacks, India managed to level the series.
The third Test, slated to commence on February 15 in Rajkot, poses another challenge for India, especially if Iyer is sidelined due to his back stiffness. The team will hope for a swift recovery from their injured players as they aim to maintain their momentum in the series.
