IND vs AUS: Shreyas Iyer ruled out of ODI series with back issue

India batter Shreyas Iyer has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia at home, starting from March 17 in Mumbai. Iyer was recently unavailable to bat on Day 4 of the fourth Test between India and Australia due to the same reason and doubts over his participation for the ODIs started to emerge ever since. 

Iyer reportedly felt pain in his lower back, which forced him out of India’s first innings at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat walked in to bat in place of Iyer after India lost their fourth wicket in the first session of the day. 

"Shreyas Iyer complained of pain in his lower back following the third day's play​. He has gone for scans and the BCCI Medical Team is monitoring him," BCCI had said in a medical update.

The 28-year-old had also missed the first Test in Nagpur due to a back issue. In January 2023, a similar back injury had ruled him out of the three match-ODI series against New Zealand. He was out for a month and had gone through intense rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) before making his return in the second Test in New Delhi.

With Iyer’s injury resurfacing, questions are once again being raised if NCA gave a nod to a player who was not fully fit. After the T20 World Cup ended, former Chief selector Chetan Sharma had said that Jasprit Bumrah was rushed into action ahead of the World Cup last year, which worsened his injury.

Iyer felt discomfort on March 11 and as a result, Ravindra Jadeja was promoted up in the batting order. On Day 4, Iyer did not come to the ground as he was in no position to bat.

"Poor guy. It just was such an unfortunate incident," Inda skipper Rohit said after India's series win in Ahmedabad on being asked about Iyer’s condition, "He had to wait all day [second day] to bat and then when the day got over, the issue he had with his back, recurred. He was sent to the hospital to take scans. I don't know the exact report of the scans, but he does not seem to be doing that well."

In his absence, Madhya Pradesh batter Rajat Patidar is likely to get a look-in in the 50-over squad, having completed his fitness formalities at the NCA.

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