Former India cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar was left intrigued by Shreyas Iyer’s fitness after the latter missed out on the Asia Cup 2023 Super-4 clash against Pakistan in Colombo on Sunday (September 10).
Iyer, who made a comeback to international cricket last week after a long injury lay-off, sustained a back spasm before the marquee clash and failed to make a cut in the XI.
Shreyas Iyer underwent back surgery earlier this year and missed out on IPL 2023, WTC final and the tour of West Indies. He was declared fully fit before the Asia Cup and now the back spasm is a cause of concern for him and India.
“I am just intrigued by Shreyas Iyer’s fitness if that’s the case. He has had a long layoff. The big story was Shreyas Iyer is fit nowadays, he played the first two games. He looked good in that game against Pakistan, scored 20-odd runs. And now he has got a back spasm," Manjrekar said on Star Sports.
KL Rahul replaced Iyer in the playing XI for the marquee encounter against Pakistan. It was a comeback match for Rahul, who was out of action since May due to thigh injury.
“You know you have got to start looking at players if they are going to be such an issue for the captain, the team management. They have been so patient, waiting for him to come back in the first match," Manjrekar added.
However, Manjrekar sympathized with Shreyas Iyer, saying that it was unfortunate for the middle-order batter to get back spasm.
“He was there for the second game. But he has missed out due to back spasm. That’s unfortunate, it’s a forced change," he remarked.
Talking about the India-Pakistan match, Babar Azam won the toss and opted to bowl first. However, the decision backfired as Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill took the Pakistan attack to the cleaners, forging a 121-run opening partnership to set the foundation of India’s massive total.
While Rohit was dismissed for 49-ball 56, Gill departed after scoring 58. Virat Kohli (8*) and KL Rahul (17*) were trying to rebuild when the heavens opened up and the play was called off for the day, with India at 147/2 in 24.2 overs.
There is a reserve day in place for this game and the play will now resume on Monday (September 11).
