Shreyas Iyer Ruled Out
Due to a recurring back injury, Shreyas Iyer, the Indian batsman, will not be playing in the three-match ODI series against Australia. It is reported that he is struggling to walk and may also miss several matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has consulted specialist doctors regarding Iyer’s condition, and a decision on whether he needs surgery will be made. If he undergoes surgery, he may be out of action for up to three months. During India’s first innings of 571 in response to Australia’s 480 in the fourth and final Test that ended in a draw in Ahmedabad on Monday, Iyer did not bat.
He batted in the second and third test matches, and he was planning to bat at number 5 in the fourth test match as well. An official announcement from the BCCI regarding his absence from the ODI series will come soon.
This news is a major setback for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He is the captain of the IPL team, and the franchise will hope for his speedy recovery before the start of the season. However, if he undergoes surgery, he will be out for the entire season.
Iyer was bought by KKR for Rs 12.25 crore in the IPL 2022 mega auction. The team failed to secure a top-four spot in the last season. If Iyer is unable to play, the franchise will need to find and select a new captain.
The India-Australia ODI series is set to take place on March 17, 19, and 22 in Mumbai, Vizag, and Chennai, respectively. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is anticipated to make an announcement soon regarding Iyer’s unavailability for the series. This is a major blow for both India and Kolkata Knight Riders, as he may also miss some IPL matches.
The duration of his absence and the possibility of surgery remain uncertain, but his recuperation is pivotal for his future involvement in cricket.
Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Nitish Rana are the top contenders to replace Shreyas Iyer as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Russell is known for his all-around skills and has been a match-winner for KKR.
Narine has played only for KKR throughout his IPL career and has been a valuable player for the franchise with his performance with the ball and the bat. Rana, who has also played for Mumbai Indians, is a safe option who will play all 14 league matches and has the experience of leading Delhi in domestic cricket. If Iyer gets injured and misses a few matches, any of the three players could step up.
Conclusion
Finally, KKR has some strong options to replace Shreyas Iyer as captain in the upcoming IPL season. Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Nitish Rana are all experienced players who have contributed to KKR’s success in the past. While Russell’s all-round ability, Narine’s all-round ability, and Rana’s consistency make them strong candidates, ultimately it will depend on the KKR management who takes up the responsibility of leading the team in Iyer’s absence.