India’s injury-prone hitter Shreyas Iyer experienced a back problem once more on Thursday as Mumbai defeated Vidarbha in the Ranji Trophy final. Iyer’s aggravated back injury forced him to miss the final phase of the title-decider, raising doubts about his ability to play for Kolkata Knight Riders in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. However, Iyer will be fit for the start of the IPL and will be joining the team’s pre-season camp, according to a team manager from Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy campaign.
Mumbai team manager Bhushan Patil told Cricbuzz, “There is no cause for concern; he is fine and will be going to Kolkata for the pre-IPL camp in two days.”
On the third day of the match against Vidarbha, Iyer, who scored 95 runs off 111 balls with 10 fours and three sixes, received on-field treatment twice while spending more than three hours in the middle.
“Iyer is injured,” a Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) official had responded to a query from news agency PTI regarding Iyer’s absence from the pitch on the last day.
“He will have to seek medical advice for which he is likely to go on March 16.” After the play on Day Four, a team source had stated that Iyer had overcome the problem and would return to the pitch on the last day, but that turned out not to be the case.
Iyer stayed inside the Mumbai training kit and the dressing room, only to be spotted for the first time on Thursday following the domestic powerhouse’s 169-run victory, which marked their 42nd title triumph.
Iyer and the Kolkata Knight Riders have not yet released an official statement regarding the player’s availability or level of fitness.
