India’s middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer has decided against travelling to England for the domestic one-day tournament the Royal London Cup for Lancashire, the county said in a statement.
Iyer had dislocated his shoulder in the first ODI of the series against England that preceded the Indian Premier League and the batsman missed out on the big event as well.
He is recovering well to get back to playing at the highest level in the second half of the IPL 14 but has given the Lancashire stint a miss.
“I am gutted to not be able to play for Lancashire this summer, a Club that has such history and ambition. I hope to play at Emirates Old Trafford for Lancashire at some point in the future,” Iyer said in a statement issued by the Lancashire County.
Lancashire’s director of cricket Paul Allot expressed disappointment at the absence of Iyer for the tournament but said that the county respect his decision keeping in mind the long-term fitness.
"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,” " Lancashire's director of cricket, Paul Allott, said.
Iyer was a regular number for India in the ODI cricket before injuring his shoulder and might find it tough to get back in the side with the likes of Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan finding their feet in the middle order.