Shreyas Iyer set to be ruled out for 4-5 months, will miss IPL and WTC final: Report

In what comes as a huge blow for both team India and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Shreyas Iyer’s injury is believed to be worse than initially feared and the player is expected to be out of action for at least 4-5 months. 

Times of India reports that Iyer is likely to undergo surgery, and hence will not only miss both the 2023 edition of the IPL and the World Test Championship (WTC) final, but will be in a race in time to be fit for the 50-over World Cup that will commence in October.

"Iyer has been advised to go for surgery. He is keen to get operated by a specialist in London, but if there is a decent option in India, then the surgery could take place here also," TOI quoted a source in the know as saying.

After feeling stiffness in his back during the third ODI against Sri Lanka in January, Iyer was pulled out of the the New Zealand ODIs and the first Test against Australia but was declared fit in lead-up to the second Test in Delhi, post which he immediately got drafted into the starting XI.

However, the 28-year-old, after a couple of smooth outings, complained of back pain during the final Test against Australia in Ahmedabad. The pain was severe enough to completely rule him out of the said game.

There’s been no official word on the extent of Iyer’s injury but it is believed that the injury is severe enough to rule him out of action for the foreseeable future.

This development immediately affects KKR, who will now have to name a new skipper for the franchise for the forthcoming season. But it’s also a body blow for India, who in a World Cup year have already lost both Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah. 

Iyer could very well be fit in time for the mega event, but should the injury be severe, the Men in Blue will then most definitely won’t have the services of the 28-year-old building up to the competition.