After missing the Sri Lanka tour, Indian middle-order batsman has been ruled out of Lancashire’s Royal London One-Day Cup campaign due to the extensive rehabilitation programme he is undergoing after shoulder surgery.
Iyer had signed with the prominent county club in the UK to play matches of England’s premier domestic List A competition this summer but can’t go ahead with the stint now as he continues to recover in India.
The decision for Iyer to spend more time in rehab was made following discussions between the Lancashire county club and the BCCI.
Iyer had hurt his shoulder while diving to save a run during the ODI series against England in March and has remained on the sidelines since.
“We are obviously very disappointed, as we were thoroughly looking forward to welcoming Shreyas to Emirates Old Trafford. Ultimately Shreyas’ long-term fitness is of paramount importance and Lancashire Cricket fully respects the decision,”
“We wish Shreyas all the best with the remainder of his recovery, and from the conversations, which I have had with the player, believe that this is an arrangement he would be keen to revisit again in the future.”
Lancashire’s director of cricket Paul Allott was quoted as saying in a media release by Lancashire.
On his part, Iyer said he is “gutted” not to be able to play for one of England’s most popular county clubs in Lancashire. But the 26-year-old is hopeful of representing the club at some stage in future.
Iyer has played 22 ODIs and 29 T20Is for India. He has an impressive record to his name in the 50-over game, where he has become integral to India’s middle-order since his comeback after the 2019 World Cup. Iyer averages 42.78 in the format with a strike-rate of 100.37 after 20 innings.
Captain of the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League, Iyer also has a T20I strike-rate of 133.81 and will be in contention if fit to make the squad for this year’s T20 World Cup in UAE and Oman.
