It has been reported by Indian Express that Shreyas Iyer has been ruled out of the first Test match against Australia due to his back injury and Suryakumar Yadav is in line to make his Test debut. Iyer was ruled out of the white-ball series against New Zealand and he is now doubtful for the first two Test matches against the Aussies.
It will be a big blow for the home team if Iyer fails to recover for the first Test as he has been in good form in the red-ball version. Iyer scored 202 runs in two Test matches against Bangladesh at an average of 101 in 2022.
The right-hander has amassed 624 runs in seven Test matches at an average of 56.73. Iyer is currently at the National Cricket Academy for his rehabilitation.
A source told the Indian Express: “His injury hasn’t healed as expected and he will take two weeks at least to play cricket again. He will certainly not be available for the first Test and his availability for the second Test will be subject to his fitness report.”
On the other hand, Suryakumar Yadav has been in prolific form in T20I format and he will look to carry the same in the Test matches against Australia if he gets his chance in the final XI. SKY has amassed 5549 runs in 79 first-class matches at an average of 44.75.
Meanwhile, India will also miss the services of Rishabh Pant in the four-match Test series against Australia. The first Test match will begin at Nagpur from February 9.
Team India squad for first two Tests against Australia:
Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), R. Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Suryakumar Yadav.
