With the Asia Cup 2023 on the horizon, India’s head coach Rahul Dravid has provided insights into the fitness status of Shreyas Iyer, highlighting the player’s positive progress. Dravid emphasized that Iyer appeared to be in good shape during practice and underscored the importance of allowing him more game time to rediscover his form.
Shreyas Iyer, the 28-year-old batsman, faced a lengthy hiatus of over five months due to an injury sustained during the fourth match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. After undergoing surgery, he embarked on the path to recovery at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
Now, having fully recuperated, Shreyas Iyer has secured a spot in India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2023. His eagerly awaited return is likely to be marked by his appearance in the first match of the tournament, representing the Men in Blue.
During Shreyas Iyer’s absence, India, led by Rohit Sharma, grappled with batting woes, particularly in the middle order. Multiple contenders vied for the coveted number 4 position, yet none managed to fill the spot as proficiently as the 28-year-old had.
Shreyas Iyer’s reentry into the squad is expected to inject renewed confidence in the team, bolstering their strengths ahead of impending events such as the Asia Cup and the ODI World Cup 2023.
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With the countdown to the ODI World Cup 2023 underway, Shreyas Iyer’s restoration to the team becomes pivotal. This strategic move aims to address any potential vulnerabilities in the lineup and ensure that the squad is primed for the challenges of the prestigious tournament. Under the leadership of 36-year-old captain Rohit Sharma, the Indian team shoulders the weight of expectations, aiming to break the ICC trophy drought spanning a decade.
Rahul Dravid, speaking at a press conference before the team’s departure to Sri Lanka for the continental competition, shared substantial updates on Shreyas Iyer’s physical condition. The head coach expressed satisfaction with Iyer’s recovery, confirming that he has fully overcome his injury and met the required benchmarks.
“He looked pretty good. It’s all about giving him more game time, and hopefully, that will happen in the Asia Cup. In terms of fitness, he has done remarkably well, batted impressively, and ticked all the boxes,” Rahul Dravid remarked.
As the India squad readies itself for the Asia Cup 2023, they will confront Babar Azam’s Pakistan in their opening encounter on September 2nd at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka. The return of Shreyas Iyer augurs well for India as they aim to shine in the upcoming tournament.