Middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer is likely to miss Kolkata Knight Riders’ first games in the upcoming 2024 edition of the 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 indicated by Times of India after Shreyas Iyer missed Day 4 of Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy 2024 final against Vidarbha here at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. Reports suggested that the right-handed batsman underwent several scans after withdrawing from the team for Day 4 and Vidarbha still needed another 287 runs to win.
Shreyas Iyer will not participate in Ranji Trophy final day 5
Due to his recurring back injury, it is unexpected that Shreyas Iyer will take the field in Wankhede when Mumbai comes out to defend their target of 538. The 41-time champions, who are aiming for their 42nd Ranji Trophy, have somehow been lucky, as That Iyer played a key role with the bat during the third innings.
After failing along with most of his Mumbai teammates, including captain Ajinkya Rahane, the 29-year-old Iyer emerged victorious during his team’s second innings. He had gone out for just 7 runs after Rahane won the toss and elected to bat first on a Wankhede track that has good grass cover.
Shreyas Iyer was sent back to the pavilion off veteran pacer Umesh Yadav with an outside delivery that was going to be left, but Iyer’s late decision to take out the bat caught him at first slip. However, in the second innings, Iyer was determined to make his mark in the final.
He seemed fresh, confident and willing to contribute, and he did. Iyer played his trademark shots, respected well-thrown deliveries and negotiated well against the spinners. As Sachin Tendulkar had said, the Wankhede track will offer assistance to the spinners as the game progresses, and the same thing happened too.
After a crumbling start that saw openers Prithvi Shaw and Bhupen Lalwani get out for 11 and 18, No. 3 and 4 batsmen Musheer Khan and Rahane accounted for a 130-run partnership. After Rahane departed for 73, Shreyas Iyer came in and stretched Mumbai’s lead further with a 168-run stand. Iyer eventually returned for 95 off 111 and then after returning to the dressing room, reported back pain.
Shreyas Iyer’s back aggravated
According to the same source (TOI), Shreyas Iyer’s back problem has worsened further and he is very likely to miss the first few games of IPL 2024.
“It doesn’t look good. It is the same back injury that has worsened. It is unlikely that he will take the field on Day 5 of the Ranji Trophy final. You risk missing the opening matches of the IPL. During the recently held Test series against England at home, he had told the Indian team management that this injury was troubling him again.” – the source told TOI.