Ranji Trophy 2023-24: Shreyas Iyer named in Mumbai squad; Washington Sundar released from Test squad for semi-final clash

Mumbai will face Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy semi-final from March 2.

Middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer has been named in the Mumbai Ranji Trophy squad after he made himself available for the semi-final fixture against Tamil Nadu, due to start on March 2 at the MCA-BKC ground.

Last week, Iyer’s fitness status created a lot of confusion. A day after he opted out of Mumbai's Ranji Trophy quarter-final match against Baroda citing back spasms, the National Cricket Academy (NCA) declared him fit.

According to a report published in The Indian Express, Nitin Patel, head of sports science and medicine at the NCA, informed the selectors that Shreyas had no fresh injuries and was cleared to play.

“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," Patel wrote in the email, as quoted by The Indian Express.

Iyer’s inclusion in the Mumbai squad comes in the wake of BCCI secretary Jay Shah’s warning to the centrally contracted players that non-participation in domestic red-ball tournaments will have “severe implications”.

Notably, Shreyas Iyer registered scores of 35, 13, 27 and 29 in the first two Tests against England and was dropped for the last three matches. As per the report, the batter had complained of back spasms during the second Test.

After taking inputs from the BCCI medical team, the national selectors had reportedly told Iyer to play Ranji Trophy so that his back gets used to the strain of batting and being on the field for an extended period of time.

The recurring back injury had kept Shreyas Iyer out of competitive action for a considerable period last year, including the Indian Premier League. He underwent a back surgery in April 2023 and came back into the Indian team during the Asia Cup in September.

Meanwhile, all-rounder Washington Sundar has been released from the Indian Test squad and will turn up for Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy semi-final. Sundar was part of the Test side but didn’t get an opportunity against England.

Mumbai Squad: Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Shreyas Iyer, Prithvi Shaw, Bhupen Lalwani, Amogh Bhatkal, Musheer Khan, Prasad Pawar, Hardik Tamore, Shardul Thakur, Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Aditya Dhumal, Tushar Deshpande, Mohit Avasthi, Royston Dias, Dhawal Kulkarni.

(The Indian Express inputs)