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[Saba Sports News] Observers are puzzled by the ongoing uncertainty around Shreyas Iyer, with mixed signals coming from different quarters about his fitness and potential injury. Reports have been inconsistent, some suggesting he might be sidelined for the initial matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL), yet officials maintain his IPL stint is secure. Interestingly, Iyer was absent from the field during Vidarbha’s second innings in the recent Ranji Trophy final.
Mumbai team manager Bhushan Patil reassured fans, indicating Iyer’s imminent departure to Kolkata for the IPL camp, a sentiment supported by Kolkata Knight Riders’ management, who haven’t been advised otherwise. Yet, Iyer and his camp have remained silent on his physical condition.
Post his 95-run knock in the Ranji final, Iyer experienced back discomfort and underwent medical scans. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) insiders informed Cricbuzz that these scans didn’t conclusively reveal the issue, pending further details from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
It’s acknowledged that Iyer was dealing with back problems during the Ranji Trophy, which had previously gone undetected by the NCA, leading to his controversial absence from the quarterfinals. This absence sparked criticism and his removal from the central contract list, as he was accused of prioritizing the IPL over domestic duties. Nevertheless, Iyer played in both the semifinals and finals of the Ranji Trophy.
Sunil Gavaskar defended Iyer in a column, highlighting his commitment to the Ranji Trophy and his informed decisions regarding his playtime, given his back pain.
Amidst this backdrop, there’s a buzz that the BCCI might revisit their decision to drop Iyer from the contract list, a topic that a senior BCCI official addressed without confirming any specific outcomes, yet not dismissing the ongoing speculations.