Shreyas Iyer, the India and Mumbai batter, has reportedly informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about taking a break from red-ball cricket after experiencing stiffness in his back. This comes after Iyer withdrew from the second four-day game between India A and Australia A, which began in Lucknow.

He had captained the India A team in the first four-day game as well, but ahead of the second game, Iyer had a consultation with the selectors and chairman of the selection committee, Ajit Agarkar, and Iyer decided to make his plea formal in an email.

As per the Indian Express’ report, Iyer told the selectors that he was experiencing back stiffness and that his body could no longer withstand the strain of red ball cricket. Iyer is considering taking a break till his body permits him to play longer formats because it has been learned that he cannot remain on the field for more than four days.

Iyer told the board that while he was able to take a break between overs during the Ranji Trophy game last year, he is unable to do the same for India A or when playing Test cricket.

“He has informed us that he (Iyer) will be taking a break from red ball cricket, and it’s good that he has cleared it out because selectors are now clear about his future. He won’t be playing red ball cricket in the coming months, and he has informed the board that he will assess his body in the future in consultation with physios and trainers and take a call on it,” a source told the Indian Express.

Iyer was set to make his India Test return for the two matches to be played at home against the West Indies starting next month. He was chosen by the selectors to captain India A for two of their four games against Australia A in order to obtain some competitive experience. Despite having a strong IPL season with the Punjab Kings, Iyer was left out of the current Asia Cup.

Iyer has previously experienced back problems that have raised concerns about his future. He missed the India versus England series at home last year as well because of a back problem. When Iyer told the Mumbai Cricket Association that he was not available for selection for the Ranji Trophy quarterfinals last year, his name became embroiled in controversy.

Iyer has previously missed the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal match against Baroda due to back problems.

In an email to selectors, Nitin Patel, the National Cricket Academy's head of sports science and medicine at the time, disagreed with Iyer, stating that he was "fit" and had "no fresh injury" reports.

“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 after his departures from Team India,” the Indian Express report stated.

Shreyas Iyer had made his Test debut for India against New Zealand in Kanpur in 2021 and scored a century in his first Test. He has played 14 Tests so far, scoring 811 runs with one ton and five fifties at an average of 36.86 and a best score of 105.

He has also played 70 ODIs, scoring 2845 runs at an average of 48.22 with five centuries and 22 fifties. In 51 T20Is, Iyer has 1104 runs with 8 half-centuries at a strike rate of 136.12. He was part of India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 winning squad.