Kolkata Knight Riders‘ captain, Shreyas Iyer, is facing uncertainty for the initial matches of IPL 2024 due to a recurring back injury. Iyer’s back troubles resurfaced during his impressive 95-run innings against Vidarbha in the Ranji Trophy final. The cricketer had undergone surgery for the same issue in 2023, which had sidelined him for an extended period, with his return to action during the Asia Cup in September.
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has not disclosed the specifics of Iyer’s current injury, but a source close to the team has expressed concern, stating, “It’s not looking good.” It is reported that Iyer will not participate in the final day of the Ranji Trophy final and is at risk of missing the early matches of the IPL.
During the recent England series, Iyer had already raised concerns about his back pain, which led to his omission after the second Test. He also opted out of Mumbai’s quarterfinal against Baroda in the Ranji Trophy due to back pain. Interestingly, despite this, the National Cricket Academy (NCA) medical head, Nitin Patel, had certified him fit, a decision that played a significant role in his exclusion from the BCCI‘s annual central contract.
Iyer’s absence would be a significant setback for the Kolkata Knight Riders, who missed his services last year due to the same injury, with Nitish Rana stepping in as captain. The franchise had hoped for Iyer’s return in the latter half of the 2023 IPL, but that did not materialize. It remains to be seen if Manish Pandey will replace Iyer in the playing XI, although no final decision has been made.
Kolkata Knight Riders’ players and support staff are expected to arrive in Kolkata on March 14, with their opening match against Sunrisers Hyderabad scheduled for March 23. The franchise’s approach to the Iyer situation will likely be addressed after the commencement of their camp in Kolkata.
In Iyer’s absence, Rana is expected to lead the team again, while the anticipation around Mitchell Starc joining the squad adds to the excitement for Kolkata Knight Riders fans.
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