Shreyas Iyer, the reliable middle-order batsman for the Indian cricket team, appears to be fully prepared for his return to Team India after recovering from an injury. He last played a match in October, and now, expectations for his comeback in the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand have surged. The BCCI is expected to announce the squad for this series soon, and all. Eyes are on Shreyas Iyer to see if he secures a spot in the team.
Injury and Recovery Journey
The Indian team is gearing up for a busy schedule at the start of the next year. The new year will kick off with a three-match One Day International series against New Zealand, followed by a five-match T20 International series, while after these two series, Team India will head into a major tournament, the T20 World Cup. While the squads for the T20 series and the World Cup have already been announced, the ODI squad is still pending, which could pave the way for players like Shreyas Iyer to make a return.
Shreyas Iyer sustained an injury during the three-match ODI series against Australia in October. He was part of that squad and batted in the first two matches, even scoring a crucial half-century. However, he subsequently got injured and had to be sidelined, while his treatment continued in Australia for a considerable period. Since October, Shreyas Iyer has not played any match for Team India, which has only heightened the anticipation for his return. He's now largely recovered and eager to get back on the field.
New Zealand ODI Series and Comeback Hopes
The three-match ODI series between India and New Zealand is scheduled to begin on January 11. The Indian squad for this important series has not yet been announced. It's expected that the BCCI will declare the team within the next two to four days. If Shreyas Iyer is found to be fully fit, his return to Team India is considered almost certain, while he's a trustworthy player for the Indian team, capable of scoring runs under pressure and strengthening the middle order.
Shreyas Iyer's Impressive Record
Shreyas Iyer has delivered an impressive performance in his international career so far, while he has scored 2917 runs in 73 ODI matches for India, including five centuries and 23 half-centuries. On top of that, he has played 14 Test matches and 51 T20 International matches, where he has scored eight half-centuries in T20Is. This record highlights his batting prowess and his importance to the team. His return would undoubtedly strengthen the team, especially in the middle order.
Opportunity to Prove Fitness
It will be interesting to see what form Shreyas Iyer is in when he makes his comeback to Team India, while before his return to the national squad, it's anticipated that Shreyas Iyer might play a few matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. These matches will provide him an opportunity to prove his match fitness and will also help the selectors ensure that he's fully prepared to play at the international level. His fitness will be the key to his return.
