After recovering from back surgery, India’s middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer is all set to make his comeback in the 2023 edition of Asia Cup, starting August 30.

The back injury had kept Iyer out of India’s home ODI series against New Zealand in January this year. He also missed the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia in Nagpur in February due to the same issue.

Shreyas played the second and third Tests of the series in Delhi and Indore respectively, scoring just 42 runs in four innings. He sustained a recurrence of a back injury during the fourth and final Test in Ahmedabad and couldn’t bat in India’s only innings.

In order to treat his lower back injury, the right-hander underwent surgery in London in April this year. Subsequently, he checked into the National Cricket Academy for rehabilitation.

Ahead of his India comeback, Shreyas Iyer spoke to bcci.tv and shared a sneak peek into his painful days due to injury.

"To be precise, I had this nerve compression, basically a slip disc, which was compressing the nerve, and the pain was going all the way down to the bottom of my tiny toe. And, it was horrendous then.

"I was in excruciating pain. I wasn't able to express myself properly about what I'm going through.

"But yeah, this was the feeling that I was having then and it was hard to communicate with everyone. I had this issue for a while, but I was taking injections, and I was going through various routes to see to it that I am steady and playing many more matches," Iyer stated.

The batter then realised that surgery was the only solution to his problem.

"It reached a saturation point where I realised that 'okay, now I have to get surgery'. And, the physios and the experts told me that it is important that you go under the knife and get this done with.

"Straight after the injury, I went back home after being hospitalised for two days. I gave myself rest for almost 10 days."

Iyer thanked all his teammates for showing compassion during his most difficult phase and also after his comeback to the fold.

"Feeling ecstatic, to be honest, to join the team and see happy faces all around. The compassion shown by all the players was fantastic, and I am thrilled to be back."

The injury and the subsequent surgery forced Shreyas Iyer to miss out on the IPL 2023, WTC final and the West Indies tour.

"At that period, one of the doctors had come to check my toe strength. He said that you can manage, but at the same time, the surgery will also be required.

"So, I thought the best decision would be to get the surgery done because I have long years ahead to play. And yeah, I am truly happy with my decision. After the surgery, the surgeon also said that it was a great decision that you decided to go for the surgery.

"Post surgery, I was there for three weeks in London because the doctor had to check the progress over some time. So, after three weeks, he was happy, and he asked me to come back (return to India. And then, the physios took over at the NCA."

Iyer also recalled the time post surgery and said the recovery period was not easy as it took time for the pain to subside.

"It was a roller-coaster ride. The pain was there until three months, and then after that, it started subsiding.

"But, at the same time, the physios were focused on getting the range back of my hamstring and glutes and everything. When you are going through a rehab, especially as a professional athlete, it is tough when the pain is not subsiding.

"Thankfully, I had a great set of friends around me and support staff and also my family. They were the ones who calmed me down in this situation, and I was panicking as well.

"But, patience is the key at this point, especially. So yeah, I'm truly happy to be where I am right now because I never imagined that I would recover so fast."

Speaking about the "testing phase" at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore, Iyer said: "The testing phase was the toughest period to go through, and the physios and the trainers were pretty confident about me coming back strong. But, in my mind, I could feel the pain.

"So, I was pretty oblivious at that point of time whether I would pass the test or not. But, over some time, I realised that the pain is subsiding and my strength is improving in my leg," he said.

"So gradually, as we started doing some running sessions, the first session was extremely tough. I was a bit perplexed then.

"Second session, I was progressing. I did some trial yo-yo tests, and gradually, after some time, I played a match, and then, I was gaining that momentum. Then, in the yo-yo test, I surprised myself as well."

Shreyas Iyer will be looking to bounce back in the upcoming Asia Cup, bearing in mind the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, slated to be held in India in October-November. However, he is not thinking too far ahead.

"For me, it is important right now to be in the present and do my routines right. I don't want to think what is going to happen beyond and what has happened in the past.

"I am ticking all the boxes day by day. In terms of preparation, I had a fantastic two days of practice with the boys, and also, it was competitive. So happy to be embracing every moment," Iyer concluded.

(With PTI Inputs)