Shreyas Iyer’s Absence from Ranji Trophy Raises Concerns: NCA Asserts Fitness

Indian cricketer Shreyas Iyer decided not to participate in Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy quarterfinals due to concerns about an injury, with reported back pain being cited as the reason, as per an Indian Express report. However, the National Cricket Academy (NCA) contradicted this, asserting that Iyer had no “fresh injuries.” Nitin Patel, the head of sports science and medicine at the NCA, informed selectors that Iyer was indeed fit, as indicated by the handover report from the Indian team following the 2nd Test against England. Mumbai Cricket Association sources confirmed Iyer’s mention of back pain as the cause for his absence from the Ranji Trophy match against Baroda scheduled for Friday.

Patel’s email, as per the report, stated, “Shreyas Iyer was fit and available for selection as per the handover report of the Indian team after the 2nd Test match against England. There are currently no fresh injuries reported as well after his departure from Team India.”

ALSO WATCH:

Earlier directives from BCCI Secretary Jay Shah emphasized the mandatory participation of centrally contracted players in red-ball cricket at the domestic level, without room for excuses. This scenario underscores the importance of clear communication between players, selectors, and medical staff to ensure transparency and commitment to cricketing obligations.

Shah made the observation that all players must represent their state teams if called upon by the coach or captain while speaking with reporters on the sidelines of the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium renaming ceremony.

The announcement was made in the midst of the Ishan Kishan scandal and rumors that the BCCI had invited him to represent Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy.

During the conversation, Shah brought up Kishan, but he swiftly clarified that the proclamation did not refer to him specifically and that all cricket players who do not play for their country will be subject to this restriction.

I’ve spoken with every contracted player over the phone and will also be writing to them. If the captain, coach, and chairman of selectors want you to play red-ball cricket, then you have to. “No tantrums” or “Nakhre Nahi Chalenge.” Jay Shah told reporters, “And as far as Ishan Kishan is concerned, he is young. I am not saying this specifically about him as it will apply to all the players uniformly.”

“Everyone will have to play, otherwise, the chairman of the selection committee has given me his suggestions and I am going to give him a free hand to let him take his own calls freely,” he stated.

The post Shreyas Iyer’s Absence from Ranji Trophy Raises Concerns: NCA Asserts Fitness appeared first on Cricket Country.