Watch: The Real Reason Why Shreyas Iyer Has Stepped Away From Test Cricket

Shreyas Iyer appears to have quietly stepped away from the longest format. According to Harsha Bhogle on a Cricbuzz show, Iyer’s back surgery has left long-lasting effects that make it difficult for him to handle the physical demands of long-format cricket.

The surgery, which involved the removal of a portion of bone, has restricted Iyer’s ability to play long innings. Despite his strong desire to make a comeback, his body has not responded the same way. Shreyas captained India A in the 1st unofficial Test against Australia A and was recently spotted practicing with coach Pravin Amre at the Wankhede Stadium, signaling his determination, but medical realities may have forced his hand.

Much like Hardik Pandya, who shifted focus to white-ball cricket, Shreyas Iyer seems set to prioritize limited-overs formats. If true, Indian cricket will miss his elegance in red-ball battles.

Watch the video below to understand the impact of Shreyas’ decision.