Shreyas Iyer takes break from red-ball cricket citing back issue

Shreyas Iyer has taken a temporary break from red-ball cricket due to a back issue and will miss the upcoming home Test series against West Indies. He will undergo evaluation and recovery at BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru

New Delhi: Middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer has informed the chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar that he cannot take the rigours of red-ball cricket at this point due to a stiff back. He has also requested not to be considered for the upcoming home Test series against the West Indies.

Shreyas had pulled out of India A’s ongoing second four-day unofficial Test against Australia A in Lucknow. It has now emerged that he has taken a temporary break from the red-ball format.

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He was named captain of India A, but Dhruv Jurel stepped in during his absence.

“While he informed the India A team management that he had gone to Mumbai for personal reasons, he has informed the chairman of the selection committee that his back cannot take the rigours of first-class and Test cricket for the time being,” a BCCI source told media.

Shreyas has formalised his request through a letter to Agarkar.

This makes Shreyas, who had led Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 final, a doubtful starter for the Ranji Trophy season starting on October 15.

PTI understands that Shreyas will now head to the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru for further evaluation of his back and for the recovery process.

It may be recalled that Shreyas has a history of back troubles, having experienced discomfort during last domestic season as well.