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When BCCI took a harsh step the last time Shreyas Iyer skipped red-ball tournament

Anurag Dasgupta

When Iyer was punished by BCCI [Source: AFP Photo] When Iyer was punished by BCCI [Source: AFP Photo]

A few days ago, Indian batter Shreyas Iyer dropped a bombshell when he decided to take an indefinite break from red-ball cricket. Iyer wrote a letter to the BCCI, stating his desire to skip the upcoming red-ball domestic tournament amidst his struggles with fatigue and back stiffness.

However, on Thursday, the air was finally cleared, and it was revealed that Iyer will take a six-month break from red-ball cricket. According to the BCCI, after the player underwent a back surgery in the UK, he faced back spasm and stiffness while playing the longer format, and thus to avoid further injury, he would take a break.

However, the Indian middle order batter has to careful because the last time he took a break from red-ball cricket, disaster struck.

What happened the last time Gill took a break from red-ball cricket

After the second Test match between England and India in early 2024, Iyer experienced discomfort in his back while playing the longer format, and he reached out to the doctors at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). The batter was eventually cleared by the NCA doctors, but despite getting the medical clearance, he didn’t turn up for Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy game.

However, the BCCI officials were enlightened that Iyer missed Mumbai’s Ranji game, but was spotted training with the Kolkata Knight Riders during their pre-season camp.

This indirectly infuriated the BCCI, as they felt that Iyer prioritized T20 cricket over red-ball, and thus, his central contract was taken away.

"The selectors don't doubt their ability," a BCCI official told ESPNcricinfo. "But if the NCA is saying you are fit and you are not making yourself available for the Test series, how can the BCCI offer you a contract?.

Eventually, Iyer worked hard in the domestic circuit and after performing consistently for over one year, the board decided to reward Iyer with the Central contract.