MUMBAI: Shreyas Iyer’s worst fears seem to be coming true. It looks that the India batsman’s back injury seems to have flared up again during his 95-run knock in the second innings in the Ranji Trophy final at the Wankhede Stadium.
The recurring injury, for which the Mumbaikar underwent surgery last year, now threatens to put his participation in the initial stage of IPL2024, where he leads the Kolkata Knight Riders, in doubt, which will be a huge worry for KKR with just nine days left before their first match in the League. The IPL is set to kick off on March 22, with KKR playing their first match against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Kolkata on March 23.
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During his 111-ball knock on Tuesday, Iyer had to twice seek treatment from the Mumbai physio for back spasms. On Wednesday, Day Four of the Ranji Trophy final, the 29-yearold couldn’t take the field for the entire day. TOI has learnt that Iyer went to a hospital for a scan of his back.
“It’s not looking good. It’s the same back injury which has got aggravated. It’s unlikely that he will take the field on Day 5 of the Ranji Trophy final. He is in danger of missing the initial matches of the IPL,” a source told TOI.
Iyer had missed two of Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy matches this season after complaining of pain in his back after batting for 30-40 minutes. “During the recently-held Test series against England at home, he had told the Indian team management about this injury troubling him again,” the source said.
However, after the National Cricket Academy’s medical team head Nitin Patel certified him to be fit, the BCCI had denied him a central contract on the grounds that he was not playing Ranji Trophy matches.
