Team India’s 2023 ODI World Cup preparations are likely to get a huge boost as the middle-order batter has resumed batting practice in the nets amid rehabilitation following surgery. The Men in Blue are currently engaged in a tour of the West Indies that includes two Tests, three ODIs, and five T20Is. With major tournaments like the Asia Cup and World Cup fast approaching, the 50-over series will be an important preparation for Rohit Sharma and Co.
Iyer suffered a back injury during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year and was forced to miss several matches for India, including the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 final against Australia. His absence in the Indian Premier League hurt Kolkata Knight Riders as they had to make Nitish Rana the interim captain and lost the services of a key middle-order batter.
The right-hander is currently rehabilitating at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. Recently, there were reports that he may not recover in time for the 2023 Asia Cup, as a source who is aware of the situation said:: “Iyer recently took an injection for his back pain at the Indian Cricket Board’s National Cricket Academy. His back is still giving him trouble.”
However, pictures and videos of Iyer practicing in the nets have been doing the rounds on the internet for a few days now, giving hope for his comeback ahead of the major tournaments. Check out the latest picture of his batting practice:
Shreyas Iyer is back!!
Great news for the Indian team for the World Cup. pic.twitter.com/RRKvSDYYOn
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 13, 2023
Shreyas Iyer is a key member of India’s ODI and Test team
Iyer is one of India’s most reliable batters, mainly in ODIs and Tests. He has so far scored 1631 runs at an average of 46.60 in the 50-over format and 666 runs at an average of 44.40 in the longer format. With the return of KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rishabh Pant uncertain, India will want Iyer back in the squad in the upcoming tournaments.
Suryakumar Yadav was picked to replace the 28-year-old in the series against the West Indies. Yadav had a disappointing outing in the ODI series against Australia and now will want to erase all those memories with a remarkable performance against Windies. Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see if Iyer gets directly included in the Asia Cup or World Cup after returning from injury.
Here’s how fans reacted to the image of Shreyas Iyer practicing in the nets:
All players getting fit before world cup with less match practice ?
— Mayank Yadav (@EggSy_Val) July 13, 2023
Ise bolo ek do saal aur lele par is baar pura fit ho kar aana.
— Dr. JANGO (@doctor_jango) July 13, 2023
Relax boys Sirf photoshoot ke liy aaya hai sreyas bhai
— PRAVEEN SHARMA (@PRAVEEN39741898) July 13, 2023
Two three bouncers nd then shreyas will be back ?
— SkAmar1912 (@SkAmar1912) July 13, 2023
My eyes are waiting to see him play in blue???
Shreyas Fire Iyer!— King (@pan10833) July 13, 2023
need him permanently
will be crucial for us in asia cup wc and sa test tour
hope he can carry his form ????— jashh (@JashViratian82) July 13, 2023
Yesssssss let's go shreyas, so imp at No.4 ?
— Devangi Joshi (@Devangi_J) July 13, 2023
Wow..sidha he selection dila rha ho team Mai..
— Singla (@Singlamon) July 13, 2023
