Indian batsman opts out of Ranji Trophy due to back pain; NCA confirms player’s fitness.
Concerns about players skipping Ranji Trophy matches have led the BCCI to caution centrally-contracted players against prioritizing the IPL over domestic cricket.
Middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer has reportedly cited back pain as the reason for his absence in Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy quarterfinal clash against Baroda, starting this Friday. However, Nitin Patel, the head of sports science and medicine at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), has confirmed that there are no new injuries to the cricketer, declaring him fit to play.
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As per the Indian Express, Patel stated in an email that Iyer was available for selection. “Shreyas Iyer was fit and available for selection as per the handover report of the Indian team after the 2nd Test match against England. There are currently no fresh injuries reported as well after his departure from Team India,” wrote Patel.
The national selectors had previously advised Iyer to participate in the Ranji Trophy to regain form and acclimatize to the demands of first-class matches.
Iyer, a key player in India’s ODI batting order, has faced challenges in the Test format, failing to score any half-century in the first two Tests against England. His struggle continued from India’s tour of South Africa, leading to his omission from the team. It is also known that the 29-year-old had complained of back spasms after the second Test.
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In a letter to cricketers last week, BCCI secretary Jay Shah expressed concerns about players favoring the IPL over domestic cricket. Shah emphasized the importance of domestic cricket as the foundation of Indian cricket and a crucial factor in player selection.
BCCI has recently taken a stringent stance on centrally-contracted cricketers’ inclination towards the IPL over domestic red-ball cricket. Wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan, citing personal reasons, has taken a break from international cricket since the South Africa tour and is not participating in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. However, he is reportedly preparing for the upcoming IPL 2024.
