NEW DELHI: The absence of Shreyas Iyer from Mumbai's crucial Ranji Trophy quarter-final match against Baroda has raised eyebrows and concerns within the cricketing fraternity, echoing the recent case of Ishan Kishan's non-participation in domestic cricket.
Despite repeated reminders from key figures like head coach Rahul Dravid and BCCI secretary Jay Shah regarding the importance of playing domestic matches, Iyer's decision to opt out due to a purported back injury has drawn scrutiny.
In a report by The Indian Express, it was revealed that Iyer cited a back injury as the reason for his unavailability for the knockout fixture. However, an email from Nitin Patel, the head of sports science and medicine at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), contradicted this claim, stating that there were no fresh injuries reported, indicating Iyer's fitness for selection.
This development has sparked serious doubts about Iyer's commitment towards domestic red-ball cricket, especially with the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) looming on the horizon.
The reluctance to risk fatigue or injury ahead of the IPL, where Iyer is set to captain the Kolkata Knight Riders, raises concerns about players' priorities and their impact on the traditional format of the game.
Iyer's exclusion from the Indian team for the last three Tests against England after a prolonged dip in form in red-ball cricket had already raised questions.
Despite facing difficulties with his lower back and groin during the second Test in Vizag, Iyer was deemed fit by the BCCI medical team and NCA staff. However, his subsequent decision to miss Ranji Trophy, despite recommendations from the selection committee, has intensified the scrutiny on his commitment to domestic cricket.
This development comes shortly after BCCI secretary Jay Shah emphasized the significance of domestic cricket in the development pathway to representing India. Shah highlighted concerns about players prioritizing the IPL over domestic cricket, stressing that domestic tournaments serve as the foundation for Indian cricket and are essential for national team selection.
