Shreyas Iyer doubtful for third test

India’s injury problems in the ongoing five-test series against England appear to be ascending with Shreyas Iyer now a uncertainty for the Rajkot Test after complaining of back stiffness as per MCA sources.  

It is understood that the National Cricket Academy has intimidated the Indian Cricket Board about his fitness status. Incidentally, the squad for the upcoming test (third) and beyond remains to be announced with a source confirming that selectors are yet to be summoned for the meeting.

The selectors were supposed to meet on Thursday (February 8) but are now expected to do so on Friday (February 9). The formal announcement of the squad can be expected thereafter. 

It is another blow for Iyer, who faced a lot of injury concerns in the past 12 months. He missed the start of last year’s Border Gavaskar series but the long standing problem blew up during the fourth test in Ahmedabad, which forced him to go for surgery.  He underwent a lengthy rehabilitation which saw him miss a majority of the year’s cricket, returning only in August ahead of the Asia ODI Series. 

India were without four of their first choice players in Vizag including Mohammad Shami, Rishabh Pant, Kl Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja due to injury concerns but still managed to draw level in the series. The third Test starts on February 15 in Rajkot.