[Watch] 'Feeling Ecstatic': Shreyas Iyer Shares Painful Path To Recovery

image-lltfkrpqShreyas Iyer is a key member of Indian ODI side [Twitter]

Shreyas Iyer is set to make a comeback into the Indian team after spending nearly six months to recover from his back injury. Earlier this week, the cricketer was included among India’s 17-player squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 in Sri Lanka, alongside fellow comeback men Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul.

Mere days prior to the launch of the continental event, Iyer narrated his painful path to recovery he underwent at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

Iyer gets emotional upon sharing comeback story Ahead of Asia Cup 2023

Shreyas Iyer slumped to a back injury during India’s home Test series against Australia back in March this year. The cricketer subsequently had to miss the entirety of IPL 2023, the subsequent WTC final and India’s all-format tour of West Indies.

Spending months at the NCA in a bid to attain his recovery in time for the Asia Cup and World Cup 2023 editions, the cricketer expressed his cheerfulness of overcoming his setback. In a minute-long video shared by the BCCI, Shreyas Iyer said:

“Feeling ecstatic to be honest to join the team, and see happy faces all around. I’m thrilled to be back.”

The batting veteran also narrated his journey to recovery, describing it an extremely painful one. He further added that he is not concerned about the past and is completely focused on the challenges that lies ahead for him along with the rest of the Indian team.

“To be precise, I had this nerve compression, basically a slip disc, which was compressing the nerve and the pain was going all the way down to the bottom of my tiny toe. I was in excruciating pain. I wasn’t able to express myself properly about what I’m going through.”

“Gradually, as we started doing some running sessions, the first one was extremely tough. For me, it is important right now to be in the present and do my routines right. I don’t want to think what is going to happen beyond and what has happened in the past. Happy to be here right now and embracing each and every moment.

Apart from Shreyas Iyer, the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 will also reunite Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul with other first-choice Indian players.

The three cricketers, alongside others, are currently in Alur as part of their training camp for the tournament.

India’s first Asia Cup 2023 match will be played against Pakistan on September 2. The much-awaited fixture is slated to be held at Kandy’s Pallekele Stadium.