In preparation for a potential leadership position in the senior 50-over team, Shreyas Iyer was named captain of India A on Thursday for a three-match one-day series against Australia A in Kanpur starting on September 30. However, he will be out of red-ball cricket for the next six months.
Ayush Badoni, Ravi Bishnoi, wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh, and big-hitting all-rounder Riyan Parag are among the other important players in the India A squad. Iyer, 30, recently told the BCCI’s chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar that he cannot handle the demands of red-ball cricket because of a stiff back.
For the second and third games on October 3 and 5, the team will be joined by middle-order batsman Tilak Varma, pacers Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh, and top-order batsman Abhishek Sharma, who made impressive half-centuries against Pakistan and Bangladesh in the Asia Cup Super 4s.
“Mr 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,” in a statement, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the development that had been reported a few days ago.
“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,” he added.
Iyer recently averaged little over 41 while playing red-ball cricket for West Zone in the Duleep Trophy. Iyer, who had back surgery in 2023, is being considered as a potential leader for the 50-over squad, which is presently captained by Rohit Sharma.
In light of this, the selectors may be able to assess his potential during the three-match one-day series against Australia A before the three-match ODI series in Australia in October.
In the 15-man team for the second and third one-dayers, Delhi cricketer Priyansh Arya and right-arm bowler Simarjeet Singh will be replaced by players returning from the Asia Cup.
Badoni is presently participating in the second unofficial Test match against Australia A in Lucknow, among other inclusions.
For the Irani Cup match against Vidarbha starting on October 1 in Nagpur, Rajat Patidar has been selected as the captain of the Rest of India team. In the Duleep Trophy, which ended earlier this month, the 32-year-old right-hander hit two hundreds and an equal number of half-tons for Central Zone.
Other regulars in the team are wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and opener Abhimanyu Easwaran. Pacer Akash Deep is one of Team India players in the bowling attack.
India A squad for 1st one-day match: Shreyas Iyer (c), Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Riyan Parag, Ayush Badoni, Suryansh Shedge, Vipraj Nigam, Nishant Sindhu, Gurjapneet Singh, Yudhvir Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Abhishek Porel (wk), Priyansh Arya, Simarjeet Singh
India A squad for 2nd and 3rd one-day matches: Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Riyan Parag, Ayush Badoni, Suryansh Shedge, Vipraj Nigam, Nishant Sindhu, Gurjapneet Singh, Yudhvir Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Abhishek Porel (wk), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh
Rest of India squad (Irani Cup): Rajat Patidar (c), Abhimanyu Easwaran, Aryan Juyal (WK), Ruturaj Gaikwad (vc), Yash Dhull, Shaikh Rasheed, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Khaleel Ahmed, Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Saransh Jain
