There is good news ahead of India vs Australia series. Shreyas Iyer is all but fit. After missing the Asia Cup Super 4 and Final with a back spasm, Iyer will make a return. He will undergo a final fitness test in Mohali on Thursday. If he clears that, he will be in India Playing XI for IND vs AUS 1st ODI. India vs Australia ODI series is the final dress rehearsal before World Cup 2023 and will begin on Friday, Sep 22.
Since his return from a back injury after five months, Shreyas Iyer has only played 9 deliveries. He is severely undercooked and head coach Rahul Dravid would want to ensure Iyer gets adequate match practice. India have five games in hand including two warm-up matches to prepare for the World Cup opener on October 8 against Australia.
“He is fit to play. He recovered from back spasm in Colombo. But the team management did not want to take a risk or unsettle the combination. Whether he plays in all matches against Australia is up to the team management. He will have a fitness drill and if fit, he should be good to go in the first ODI,” a BCCI official told InsideSport.
Shreyas Iyer is India’s designated No 4 batter in ODIs. However, with long-term injuries, he has had limited game time. Yet, before he was injured, he was in good form. In the last 12 months, Iyer has scored 537 runs in 12 innings at an average of 53.70. He also has a century and three half-centuries.
After arriving in Mumbai, Rohit Sharam also confirmed that there were no concerns regarding Shreyas Iyer. In fact, in Colombo, Iyer did take part in fielding drills as well as net sessions with the team.
“Shreyas was not available for this game [final] because there were certain parameters that were kept for him to tick off. Today, he completed most of it. I would say 99% he should be okay as of now, but he looks good. He batted, he fielded for long hours before we came in today So, he’s looking good at this point in time. I don’t think it’s a worry for us,” Rohit Sharma said while announcing the squad for IND vs AUS series.
IND vs AUS 1st ODI: What to expect?
- With Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma both rested from the first ODIs, Shreyas Iyer will slot right back in at No 4.
- Following a long injury layoff, he will have to make do with five games that he will get before IND vs AUS World Cup clash on October 8.
- During his 9-ball stay against Pakistan, Shreyas Iyer did look good. But he was dismissed by Haris Rauf while trying to play a rash shot.
- Now, with KL Rahul at No 5, Rahul Dravid will have Iyer back to sort combinations out ahead of World Cup.
- Iyer’s aim will also be to play as long as possible to not only secure his spot but also to have competitive practice.
India squad for 1st & 2nd ODIs
KL Rahul (C & WK), Ravindra Jadeja (Vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
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