PremiumIt's BCCI's fault! Fans express anger after Shreyas Iyer's back pain worsens during Ranji Trophy Final
With Shreyas Iyer's recurring injury looming large, there are concerns regarding his availability for the early stages of IPL 2024.
Last Updated: 04.54 PM, Mar 14, 2024
Amidst Mumbai's triumphant victory over Vidarbha in the Ranji Trophy Final 2024, clinching their 42nd title with a resounding 169-run lead, the absence of batter Shreyas Iyer on the field for the second consecutive day at Wankhede Stadium grabbed attention. Despite his 95 runs off 111 balls during Mumbai's second innings, Iyer's absence from fielding duties on Wednesday was due to back pain.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Iyer underwent treatment with expectations of returning to the field on Thursday, but his absence persisted. This development sparked criticism on social media platforms, notably X (formerly Twitter), where fans slammed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for allegedly forcing Iyer to participate in domestic cricket despite his injury concerns.
Shreyas Iyer injury:
Shreyas Iyer's back issues surfaced following the 2nd Test against England. Although initially cleared of any injury by the BCCI's medical staff, he was omitted from the squad for the remaining three Tests. Subsequently, Iyer cited back spasms for his absence from Mumbai's final Ranji Trophy league match. Despite this, he actively participated in the pre-season camp for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where he is set to captain in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.
Criticism arose as Iyer chose not to partake in Ranji Trophy fixtures despite his availability due to the absence of international commitments. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah addressed this by warning top players of India about potential repercussions if they prioritize IPL over domestic cricket.
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Although absent for Mumbai's quarter-final, Iyer returned to play in the semi-final and final matches. Adding salt to the wounds saw Iyer be among the notable names dropped from the list of centrally contracted players.
With Shreyas Iyer's recurring injury looming large, there are concerns regarding his availability for the early stages of IPL 2024. This development poses a significant worry for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), especially with only nine days remaining before their first match in the league.
Ranji Trophy final between Mumbai and Vidarbha - Highlights
Facing the daunting task of chasing down the imposing target of 538 runs set by the hosts, Vidarbha's determination was put to test as they resumed their innings on Day 5 at 248 for five. Vidarbha's captain, Akshay Wadkar, showcased his prowess with a century, while Harsh Dubey's gritty innings of 65 added crucial runs to their total.
Despite their resilient efforts, Mumbai bowlers dismissed Vidarbha for 368 runs, securing their much-coveted Ranji Trophy title in a thrilling conclusion to the match.