Xtra Time Web Desk: It is not good news for Team India batter Shreyas Iyer as he has still not recovered from back stiffness which makes him doubtful for the first test match against Australia starting at Nagpur from February 9. Iyer was ruled out of the recently concluded ODI series against New Zealand after he complained of a stiff back. The cricketer from Mumbai is undergoing his rehab at the NCA. He will have to clear the fitness test at NCA to make himself available. It has been learnt that the batter was given an injection recently at the NCA to help combat swelling in his lower back.
If he gets his clearance, Iyer will be the frontrunner for a middle-order slot against Australia. In his absence, the other contenders include Suryakumar Yadav, who is yet to make his Test debut, and possibly Shubman Gill in case India open with Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul.
As expected, Team India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is all set to join the test squad ahead of the first test against Australia starting in Nagpur from February 9. Jadeja, who is now at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for his final fitness tests will join the Indian camp in Nagpur starting from February 2.
The all rounder made a superb comeback in the Ranji Trophy fixture against Chennai. Although he went wicket-less in the first innings, he bounced back in the second to take seven wickets. But most importantly he bowled 41.1 overs, leaving no doubts about his fitness. Jadeja recently shared a video of his training at the NCA on social media handle Instagram.
Last time Jadeja played in a test match was in the one-off Test against England in Birmingham in July 2022. He experienced discomfort in his right knee, which has troubled him over the years, while playing in the Asia Cup in late August.
The knee surgery meant Jadeja had to miss the T20 World Cup in Australia. Although he was named in the test squad for the tour to Bangladesh, his selection was subject to fitness. He was eventually ruled out. With his rehab getting extended, he was also ruled out of the white-ball home series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand. But having got the green light now from the NCA medical staffs, Jadeja is all set to make a comeback in the upcoming test series against Australia.