'Say 99%,' Rohit Sharma Gives Major Updates On Shreyas Iyer & Axar Patel

image-lmoc863aShreyas Iyer (Source: X/ACC)

Coming off a long injury layoff, the Indian middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer had to face another setback after he suffered from a back spasm after the first game against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023. The right-hander has been an unfortunate one who had to sit out on the bench for the rest of the tournament as another returnee, KL Rahul, sealed his place after an impressive show.

However, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, while speaking in a press conference, explained that Iyer's comeback is pretty much planned as a layout for him has been prepared. Adding that the Mumbai-batter ticked most of the check-boxes which were set for him to be back, and it is just a matter of time before he is fully fit.

"Shreyas (Iyer) was not available for this game (final) because there were certain parameters that were kept for him to tick off. Today, he completed most of it. I would say 99% he should be okay as of now, but he looks good. He batted, he fielded for long hours before we came in today So, he's looking good at this point in time. I don't think it's a worry for us."

While Sharma expressed no worrying signs for Iyer, he cleared all doubts over all-rounder Axar Patel's injury as well, who had to be ruled out of the tournament's final with an injured wrist. Skipper mentioned that Axar, in all likelihood, would be back in about seven or max ten days as the Gujarat left-hander sustained a small tear.

"Axar (Patel)- I'm not sure, he had a small tear. It looks like maybe [unavailable] a week or ten days. We just have to wait and see how the injury progresses. Because every individual is different; some guys recover quickly."

Rohit's comments come as an assurance to the Indian team's fans and their well-wishers as less than 20 days remain for the marquee World Cup 2023 before which they have to feature in a three-match ODI series against Australia beginning on the 22nd of September.