According to former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir, Shreyas Iyer prospects of making the World Cup 2023 roster do not appear to be excellent. Shreyas Iyer participation in the renowned competition is in doubt due to his ongoing back injury issues.
Shreyas Iyer suffered his first injury earlier this year during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which ultimately prevented him from playing in the 2023 Indian Premier League. Nevertheless, there was hope for his return because he was cleared for the Asia Cup. Unfortunately, he experienced a setback when he injured his back on the day of the India-Pakistan Super Four match.
Gambhir emphasised the crucial role that fitness plays in events with such high stakes. “It’s a worry. After being absent for so long, you returned for the Asia Cup, played one match, and then again lost your fitness. After this, I doubt the team management will choose him for such a significant competition. Iyer won’t be travelling with the World Cup team and will be replaced, as you’ll see in the upcoming days. Always bring fit players into a World Cup, he advised Star Sports.
The former cricketer-turned-commentator emphasised that performance should not come before fitness. Since he has only played one inning in more than six months, Iyer’s form continues to be a serious concern.
“Performance is something else. Imagine that you are unable to find a replacement if a player is affected by a spasm or some other condition. Therefore, if Iyer hasn’t been healthy during this competition, it will be very impossible for him to participate in the World Cup due to his ailment, and we wouldn’t even know his current status. Regardless of his performance, it was 7-8 months ago, and since then, he has only appeared in one game. Thus, it is regrettable,” he continued.
During his most recent appearance in the Asia Cup, Iyer defeated Pakistan with a score of 14 off nine deliveries before being replaced by KL Rahul in the Super Four round. KL Rahul produced a spectacular comeback against Pakistan by scoring an unbroken century.
Gambhir also questioned whether Shreyas Iyer repeated back ailments were related to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and whether a premature fitness clearance was possible.
“Ask the NCA if any questions need to be answered because that is where he remained for all of these months and where he also received a clearance from. Perhaps they cleared him too quickly, who knows? Gambhir inquired.
Time is running out for Shreyas Iyer with only 10 days left before the final World Cup roster is revealed. The 28-year-old last appeared in an ODI for India during the home series against Sri Lanka, where he batted at the vital No. 4 spot and put up outstanding numbers.
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