Indian cricketer Shreyas Iyer, currently facing scrutiny due to his recent struggles in Test cricket, is anticipated to sit out the remainder of the ongoing Test series against England due to injury concerns. While Iyer participated in the first two Tests, his performance with the bat failed to meet expectations.

Across the two Tests, Iyer’s scores were 35, 13, 27, and 29 runs. Despite his reputation as a proficient player of spin in India, Iyer has encountered difficulties against spinning deliveries, and his vulnerability to short-pitched bowling from pacers has been evident once more.

Reports indicate that Iyer may be sidelined for the rest of the Test series, prompted by complaints of back stiffness and groin pain experienced while executing forward defensive shots.

This uncertainty was further underscored when the entire squad’s playing kits for the second Test were dispatched directly from Vizag to Rajkot, the venue for the third Test beginning on February 15, while Iyer’s kit was redirected to his residence in Mumbai.

Sources suggest that Iyer will undergo further assessments at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore. Despite his setback, the batsman is hopeful of returning to competitive cricket in time for the commencement of IPL 2024, where he is slated to captain the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise.

“Iyer has informed the Indian team management and the medical staff that his back gets stiff after playing more than 30 balls and he feels pain in his groin while playing forward defence. Post surgery, he is facing this issue for the first time so he has been advised to rest for a few weeks. He will head to NCA later,” a source told The Indian Express.

In the event of his absence, the selection committee will need to decide on his replacement, especially since KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, who were sidelined due to injury in the previous Test, are expected to return for the Rajkot Test.

There is uncertainty regarding whether Rajat Patidar, who made his debut in the Vizag Test, will step in for Shreyas Iyer, or if the selectors will opt to give Sarfaraz Khan an opportunity.

Originally scheduled to finalize the team on Thursday, the selection committee opted to postpone their decision by one day to confirm the availability of former captain Virat Kohli. While it appears unlikely that Kohli will participate in the third Test, the selectors sought clarification on his availability for the remaining two matches.

The remainder of the squad, currently on a brief respite, has been instructed to reconvene in Rajkot on February 11, with training set to resume the following day.