Shreyas Iyer takes six-month break from red-ball cricket

India batter Shreyas Iyer will take a six-month break from red-ball cricket, the BCCI has confirmed. The decision rules him out of India’s upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) fixtures against West Indies and South Africa at home.

Iyer has instead been named captain of the India A squad for the three-match ODI series against Australia A beginning September 30. However, he was not considered for selection in the Rest of India (ROI) squad for the Irani Cup clash against Vidarbha starting October 1 in Nagpur.

Advertisement

Explaining his absence, the BCCI statement said, “Shreyas Iyer has informed the BCCI of his decision to take a six-month break from red-ball cricket.

“Having undergone back surgery in the UK and managed his recovery well, he has recently experienced recurring back spasms and stiffness while playing the longer format.

“He wishes to utilise this period to build endurance, body resilience and work on his fitness. In view of his decision, he was not considered for selection for the Irani Cup,” the statement added.

Iyer recently turned out for India A in an unofficial Test against Australia A, managing only 8 runs in his sole innings. Earlier, he featured in the Duleep Trophy semi-final for West Zone, scoring 25 and 12 in what was his first competitive appearance since the IPL 2025.

The 30-year-old, who underwent back surgery earlier this year, has struggled with fitness since the IPL. Despite missing red-ball assignments, he has remained a key figure in India’s white-ball setup, starring in the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year and previously playing a central role in the 2023 ODI World Cup campaign.