Iyer to undergo back surgery next week, Bumrah has started rehab: BCCI

The BCCI have confirmed that Shreyas Iyer, who’s been out of action since February due to a back issue, will undergo surgery next week, post which he will return to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru for rehabilitation. 

Iyer first complained of back pain in December and while he featured in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, he missed the subsequent games at home against New Zealand. After spending close to a month on the sidelines, he returned mid-way through the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and featured in the last three Tests of the series, but after experiencing back pain, sat out the final four days of the Ahmedabad Test. 

Scans later revealed the injury was more serious than initially feared and the recurring issue has now forced the 28-year-old to undergo surgery.

“Mr Shreyas Iyer is scheduled to undergo surgery for his lower back issue next week. He will remain under the surgeon’s care for two weeks and will return to the NCA after that for rehabilitation,” the BCCI said in an official statement.

The development means that Iyer will not only miss the World Test Championship (WTC) final, but will be in a race against time to be fit for the World Cup.

The BCCI, meanwhile, have also confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah has already had successful back surgery and has started rehabbing at the NCA. Bumrah suffered a back stress fracture in September, something which has kept him out of action to this very date.

“Mr Jasprit Bumrah underwent surgery in New Zealand on his lower back, which was successful and he remains pain-free,” a BCCI statement read.

“The fast bowler was advised by the specialist to start his rehab six weeks after the surgery and accordingly, Mr Bumrah has commenced his rehab management at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru from Friday.”

Bumrah, too, like Iyer, is in a race against time to be fit for the ODI World Cup.