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STUMP VISION OCTOBER 03, 2025 | The Indian Eye 44

Shreyas Iyer: A Career Brimming with

Talent, Yet Shadowed by Injuries

Despite his promise as a dependable Indian batter, recurring injuries continue to test

Shreyas Iyer’s resilience and ambitions in red-ball cricket.

OUR BUREAU
Mumbai
hen Shreyas Iyer burst onto the domes-
tic circuit with Mumbai, his talent was
Wunmistakable. Elegant stroke-making,
fearless intent, and a natural flair for leadership
positioned him as one of India’s brightest batting
prospects. Over the years, his journey through the
Indian Premier League (IPL), India A assignments,
and the senior national team showed glimpses of a
player ready to anchor India’s middle order across
formats. But as his career progressed, one obstacle
kept recurring—injuries.
On September 25, the Board of Control for
Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that Iyer had
informed selectors of his decision to take a six-
month break from red-ball cricket. The 29-year-
old batter, who underwent back surgery in the UK
last year, has been struggling with recurring spasms
and stiffness while playing the longer format. The
selectors, therefore, omitted him from the Rest of
India squad for the Irani Cup, though he continues
to lead the India A side in white-ball matches.
For Iyer, the decision reflects a painful reali-
ty: while his white-ball career remains on track, his
Test ambitions are under constant threat from a
fragile body.
Iyer’s tryst with injuries began well before this Shreyas Iyer plays a shot in an IPL game (Agency)
latest setback. His back has been a recurring con-
cern, forcing him to undergo surgery in 2023, a pe-
riod that kept him away from the game for months. mented his place in India’s ODI setup, often bat- is betting on long-term sustainability over short-
The rehabilitation process was painstaking, but ting in the crucial No. 4 and No. 5 positions. His term appearances. “He wishes to utilise this period
Iyer showed determination, returning to compet- ability to rotate strike in the middle overs, accel- to build endurance, body resilience and work on
itive cricket with disciplined fitness routines. erate when needed, and handle spinners with ease his overall fitness,” the BCCI said in its advisory,
However, the stresses of red-ball cricket— makes him indispensable. In T20s, too, his expe- highlighting a conscious effort from the batter to
where a batter often has to endure long stints at rience as a leader—both for India A and his IPL prolong his career.
the crease and the physical demands of fielding franchise—adds value to his presence in the squad. Iyer’s story is far from finished. At 29, he still
for extended hours—appeared too much too soon. The selectors’ decision to continue backing has several prime years left, provided he manages
His performances in the Duleep Trophy semi-final him as captain of India A in the one-day series his workload wisely. The selectors’ faith, his con-
and the India A series against Australia A under- against Australia A signals confidence in his lead- tinued captaincy of India A, and his leadership
lined the struggle: a string of low scores followed ership as much as his batting. Despite the set- role in the IPL point to an assured place in India’s
by visible discomfort while batting. backs, the message is clear: Iyer is far from being white-ball future.
While he remains match-fit for shorter for- written off. In many ways, Shreyas Iyer’s career is em-
mats, his body has not responded well to the rigors Injuries test not just the body but the mind. For blematic of modern cricket—where talent and
of the longer game. “He gets three games before someone like Iyer, who has been earmarked for form are sometimes overshadowed by the relent-
we go to Australia, and more than anything, we greatness since his domestic debut, each enforced less demands placed on the body. His decision to
want him playing and playing well because he be- break disrupts rhythm and confidence. Yet, he has step back from red-ball cricket may appear like
comes a key member in the one-day squad,” Chief consistently shown resilience. Returning from sur- a setback, but it could also be the smartest move
Selector Ajit Agarkar noted, underscoring his im- gery last year, he quickly found form in the IPL, to preserve his longevity in formats where India
portance in ODIs while acknowledging the gap in proving that his hunger to succeed remains intact. needs him most.
red-ball availability. This latest break, however, is not merely about For Iyer, the hope remains that the story of his
Even as red-ball cricket eludes him, Iyer’s recovery—it’s about recalibration. By choosing to career is not one of injuries but of resilience, adap-
white-ball credentials remain strong. He has ce- step back from red-ball cricket for six months, Iyer tation, and eventual triumph.

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