Shreyas Iyer's ODI return hinges on fitness but chances look strong
Shreyas Iyer may only be a conditional pick by the selection committee for the ODI series against New Zealand, but his chances of making the one-day side are more likely than not. In fact, Iyer, who played an international match in October last year, appears set for a return to international cricket.
While announcing the squad for the three-match series against New Zealand, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said, "Shreyas Iyer's availability is subject to fitness clearance from BCCI COE." But Cricbuzz understands he is on the way to recovery and should play one or two of the three ODIs, if he were to miss the first for any reason.
"He is almost there," said a source in the know. "He should be available 99 per cent for the first game itself. The one per cent doubt from the COE is whether he can come through the 100 overs, and it will be ascertained in the Vijay Hazare game."
Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), meanwhile, has confirmed to this website that Iyer will join the Mumbai squad in Jaipur on Monday, if he has not already at the time of writing, and will certainly play the January 6 Vijay Hazare Trophy game against Himachal Pradesh. Should he get clearance, he will immediately rush to Baroda.
If doubts still linger, he may play the January 8 game against Punjab to prove his fitness and then join the team in Vadodara. The first match, anyway, is on January 11. RP Singh, a member of the selection committee, is believed to be stationed in Jaipur. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar was there on Saturday as well.
In the unlikely event of Iyer not getting clearance, the selectors will draft Ruturaj Gaikwad into the squad. But the chances of that are very remote. Iyer had to undergo surgery for a spleen injury sustained in an ODI against Australia last October after he fell while trying to take a catch.
Meanwhile, sources have revealed to this website that Rishabh Pant's position was not in jeopardy, intense speculation and media reports of him being replaced by Ishan Kishan in the squad notwithstanding. The contention is that there was no case for his replacement, as he has not had a chance to play an ODI, leave aside failing in one.
Besides, Pant appears to have won brownie points from the selectors for his commitment to domestic cricket. He is currently leading Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and, unlike some other internationals who played only a limited number of domestic games, has remained with his state side, featuring in all their VHT matches so far. He has also scored two half-centuries.
When not injured, Pant has been part of the ODI squad since the Champions Trophy but KL Rahul has been preferred to him for the wicketkeeping duties. He will continue to be the second choice for the role in the upcoming series as well but chances are that he may get a look-in at some stage. He last played an ODI in August 2024, more than 16 months ago.
