IND vs AUS: Shreyas Iyer set to miss first Test in Nagpur

Star Indian middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer has been ruled out of the Test series opener against Australia in Nagpur, according to reports by ESPNcricinfo. Iyer, who missed the ODI series against the Kiwis due to a back injury has been advised to take his time following his visit to the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

Shreyas Iyer sustained a back injury in the lead-up to the ODI series against New Zealand. He traveled to NCA for his rehab and has been advised to extend his stay in Bangalore. However, it is just a precautionary step, and he is likely to join the squad ahead of the second Test in Delhi,.

Iyer suffered a swollen lower back after participating in India’s two-match Test series against Bangladesh in December last year. He visited NCA for his rehab and then returned to Mumbai. The batter was expected to join India’s preparatory camp in Nagpur ahead of the all-important Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

But Iyer failed to get the fitness clearance from NCA, ruling him out of the Test series opener. He was named in the 17-man squad for the opening two Test matches of the series.

Iyer’s absence in the first Test is a crucial blow to India as they are looking at several middle-order combinations. KL Rahul is likely to drop down the order to accommodate Shubman Gill in the opening slot. Suryakumar Yadav, who received his maiden Test call-up for the impending series, is likely to start in the first Test.

India’s Test squad for the first two Tests:

Rohit Sharma (capt), KL Rahul (vice-capt), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Suryakumar Yadav