Shreyas Iyer unlikely to play second Test: Bumrah in no rush to return for ODI series against Australia

Shreyas Iyer unlikely to play second Test: Bumrah in no rush to return for ODI series against Australia

Feb 14, 2023 - 10:17
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Shreyas Iyer unlikely to play second Test: Bumrah in no rush to return for ODI series against Australia

The second Test is to be played between India and Australia from February 17 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. It was expected that Shreyas Iyer, who was out of the team due to injury in the first Test, would return in the Delhi Test. But now reports are coming that it is not possible for Iyer to play in the second Test. At the same time, it is difficult for fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah to play in the ODI series after the four-match Test series. Both players are currently rehabbing at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. The Indian team has taken a 1-0 lead in the four-Test series.
Iyer was out of the first test match due to a back injury. While Bumrah is running out of the team due to a stress fracture. He was expected to return for the ODI series with Australia. According to media reports, Iyer has been out of the team for a month. He is going through rehab. In such a situation, the team management will not take the risk of fielding him in a direct international match. Iyer had posted a few videos from the rehabilitation program at the NCA in Bengaluru, in which he was accompanied by trainer S Rajinikanth. Iyer has been doing strength and conditioning training but will need to play at least one domestic match as part of his criteria to return to international duty with the national team. Therefore, Iyer cannot be dropped directly in a Test match, in which he will have to field for 90 overs and may have to bat for a long time.
The team management is in no hurry to bring back Iyer and Bumrah. She wants both players to return fully fit. The final of the World Test Championship is in June and the ODI World is to be held in October this year. Both the players are important to the team. In such a situation, the team management does not want to take any risk.
It remains to be seen whether the Chetan Sharma-led selection committee includes Iyer in the Rest of India's squad to prove his fitness for the Irani Cup matches against Madhya Pradesh from March 1 to 5. Earlier, the selection committee had asked all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja to play a Ranji Trophy match to prove his fitness. Shreyas Iyer is one of India's most important players in Test cricket at the moment. If he is out of the second Test match as well, then the tension of the team may increase.

Muskan Kumawat Journalist & Writer