Shreyas Iyer doubtful for remainder of India vs England Test series due to injury: Report

Indian middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer faces the grim possibility of being sidelined for the remaining three Test matches against England, casting a shadow over his participation due to injury concerns. Report from the Indian Express highlights Iyer's struggle with back stiffness and groin pain, particularly when executing forward defence shots, casting uncertainty over his availability for the crucial games ahead.

According to the report, Iyer's playing gear was notably dispatched to his Mumbai residence instead of Rajkot, the venue for the third Test starting on February 15, while the rest of the team's equipment made its direct route from Vizag to Rajkot. This development comes as the series stands evenly matched at 1-1, with both teams vying for dominance.

The selection committee, under Ajit Agarkar's leadership, is poised to announce the squad for the series' continuation on Friday. In the meantime, Iyer is expected to undergo further evaluation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore. Despite this setback, Iyer remains hopeful of making a comeback in time for the Indian Premier League next month, following a surgery he underwent last year due to a similar back issue.

As per a source quoted by The Indian Express, “Iyer has informed the Indian team management and the medical staff that his back gets stiff after playing more than 30 balls and he feels pain in his groin while playing forward defence.” The source further explained the post-surgery challenges Iyer is facing for the first time, necessitating a few weeks of rest.

With Iyer's potential absence, the selection committee faces a dilemma regarding his replacement. The anticipated return of KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, who were both absent in the last Test due to injuries, adds to the selection complexity. The opportunity for Rajat Patidar, who debuted in Vizag, to play again is also under consideration.

The decision-making process was initially set for Thursday but has been delayed to further assess the availability of Virat Kohli, whose participation in the third Test remains uncertain due to personal reasons. As the squad reconvenes in Rajkot on February 11, with training scheduled to resume the next day, the focus remains on finalizing the team composition for the upcoming challenges.

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