'Bit of a red flag' - Aakash Chopra on Shreyas Iyer missing Asia Cup clash against Pakistan

Shreyas Iyer's absence from India's Asia Cup 2023 Super Four clash against arch-rivals Pakistan due to back spasms has raised eyebrows and concerns, especially with the World Cup on the horizon.  Aakash Chopra, former Indian cricketer and renowned commentator, shared his insights on the matter, shedding light on the potential implications for the Men in Blue.

As the rain-interrupted day in Colombo unfolded, fans and experts alike were taken aback when KL Rahul was included in the playing XI in place of Shreyas Iyer. Chopra expressed his surprise, noting that it appeared to be a choice between Rahul and Ishan Kishan. He emphasized the need to give Rahul opportunities but questioned the timing.

"It was a surprise for everyone in whose place KL Rahul was playing. It seemed like it was between him and Ishan Kishan and that the latter should have been played because he is in good form. However, the question was when you would play KL Rahul as at some stage you have to give him chances," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

Chopra's concern deepened as he delved into the extent of Shreyas Iyer's injury. Having undergone back surgery, the middle-order batter has not played competitive cricket for the past six to eight months. This absence from the game could have contributed to the back spasms he experienced during the Asia Cup.

"The first thing is that he is probably undercooked because of which the area on which the surgery happened might have flared up a little bit and the surrounding areas would have stiffened up to save that and he got a spasm due to that, if this happens repeatedly, because he had played only one match (innings) thus far, so with what fitness will he come in the World Cup? We are not even talking about the form at the moment, we are talking about the fitness first," he added.

It remains to be seen whether Iyer will be able to play the Super Four game against Sri Lanka on September 12. Meanwhile, the looming deadline for squad changes, which allows the Indian team management and selectors to make alterations until September 28, adds to the intrigue surrounding Iyer's situation.