BCCI confirms Shreyas Iyer's break from red-ball cricket; Reveals the reason

Shreyas Iyer was not considered for selection for the Irani Cup and home test series against the West Indies.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), on Thursday, 24th September, has confirmed that middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer has taken a break from red-ball cricket. The right-handed batter recently played in the unofficial test against Australia A in Lucknow and pulled out of the second game.

Following that, there were rumours of him taking a break from the longest format. The same was confirmed by the BCCI, while it named the squads for India A’s unofficial One-Day (OD) series against Australia A and the Rest of India squad for Irani Cup 2025-26, which will be played between ROI and the defending champions of the Ranji Trophy.

Notably, Iyer has been named as captain of the India A side for the unofficial OD series against Australia.

BCCI reveals reason behind Shreyas Iyer’s break from red-ball cricket

On Thursday, the BCCI confirmed that Iyer has sought break from red-ball cricket as he is facing back issues again. Iyer had undergone back surgery in the UK and managed his recovery well. However, recently he has been experiencing recurring back spasms and stiffness while playing on consecutive days. The BCCI further added that the right-handed batter will utilise this period to build endurance, body resililence and work on his fitness. For the same reason, Iyer wasn’t considered for selection for the Irani Cup.

“Mr Shreyas Iyer has informed the BCCI of his decision to take a six-month break from red-ball cricket. Having undergone back surgery in the UK and managed his recovery well, he has recently experienced recurring back spasms and stiffness while playing the longer format,” the BCCI’s statement said.

“He wishes to utilise this period to build endurance, body resilience and work on his fitness. In view of his decision, he was not considered for selection for the Irani Cup,” it further added.

Iyer was last seen playing test cricket for India in February 2024. He continues to be a vital part of India in ODI cricket.

India A squad for OD series against Australia A:

India A squad for 1st one-day match: Shreyas Iyer (C), Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Riyan Parag, Ayush Badoni, Suryansh Shedge, Vipraj Nigam, Nishant Sindhu, Gurjapneet Singh, Yudhvir Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Abhishek Porel (WK), Priyansh Arya, Simarjeet Singh

India A squad for 2nd and 3rd one-day matches: Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Verma (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Riyan Parag, Ayush Badoni, Suryansh Shedge, Vipraj Nigam, Nishant Sindhu, Gurjapneet Singh, Yudhvir Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Abhishek Porel (WK), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh

Rest of India squad for Irani Cup 2025-26:

Rest of India squad (Irani Cup): Rajat Patidar (C), Abhimanyu Easwaran, Aryan Juyal (WK), Ruturaj Gaikwad (VC), Yash Dhull, Shaikh Rasheed, Ishan Kishan (WK), Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Khaleel Ahmed, Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Saransh Jain

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