New Delhi, Sep 23 – Middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer has informed chief selector Ajit Agarkar that he is currently unable to cope with the physical demands of red-ball cricket due to back stiffness and has requested that his name not be considered for the upcoming home Test series against the West Indies.
As per agency report, Iyer had earlier withdrawn from the ongoing second four-day unofficial Test between India A and Australia A in Lucknow. He was originally named captain of the India A side, but wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel took over the role following his absence.
A BCCI source revealed that while Iyer told the India A team management he was travelling to Mumbai for personal reasons, he had formally conveyed to Agarkar in writing that his back condition was not fit to withstand the rigours of first-class and Test cricket. His decision effectively amounts to taking a temporary break from red-ball cricket.
Iyer, who played a pivotal role in guiding Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 final earlier this year, now faces uncertainty over his participation in the Ranji Trophy season scheduled to begin on October 15. He is expected to undergo further evaluation and rehabilitation for his back issue at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
The 30-year-old has struggled with back problems in the past, and the recurrence of the issue has once again forced him to step back from the longer format of the game.
