Cricket

Mumbai's Ranji Trophy campaign has suffered a major setback as star batsman Shreyas Iyer is likely to miss the upcoming match against Tripura due to a shoulder injury. The injury comes as a blow to Iyer's comeback aspirations after a lengthy absence from the game due to a back injury.Iyer, who scored a century in Mumbai's last Ranji match against Maharashtra, had expressed concerns about his body's ability to withstand the rigors of consecutive matches. He emphasized the need to prioritize his physical well-being, stating, "I have to listen to my body because I know the amount of threshold I've carried over the last few years."The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) confirmed that Iyer did not travel with the team to Agartala for the Tripura match. The injury is the latest in a series of setbacks for Iyer, who underwent back surgery in London in 2022.Despite his recent return to form, Iyer has lost his place in the Indian team in both Test and T20 formats. He had hoped to earn a national comeback with strong performances in domestic cricket, but the shoulder injury has put those plans on hold.Iyer admitted that he had been fearful of his back injury flaring up again, but assured that he had trained extensively to improve his fitness. He also acknowledged that he had been perceived as shirking the longer format, but emphasized that he had addressed that issue by playing seven consecutive first-class matches.The 29-year-old stressed the importance of managing his body wisely, stating, "I have to be smart in terms of what decisions I make. I need to see to it that my body is in the best shape possible."Iyer's absence will be a significant loss for Mumbai, who are looking to build on their impressive start to the Ranji Trophy season. The team will now have to rely on other batsmen to step up and fill the void left by their star player.

Gujarat Titans' star spinner Rashid Khan has revealed the arduous journey he endured after undergoing back surgery following the 2023 Cricket World Cup. Despite being advised by doctors to undergo surgery before the tournament, Khan opted to delay it to represent his country."I had to play in the World Cup. I cannot say no to the World Cup," Khan said.To manage the pain, Khan took injections before the tournament. However, his condition worsened after Afghanistan's victory over Pakistan."I could not sleep. I would sleep only at four or five in the morning at times. The only way I could sleep was by taking sleeping tablets and painkillers," he recalled.During the final three matches of the World Cup, Khan played at a mere 40% fitness, relying on painkillers to keep going. His back issues affected his bending and caused pain down to his shins.After the tournament, Khan underwent surgery. The doctor informed him that a failed surgery could end his career, leaving him anxious."I was so tense the whole night before the surgery. I didn't tell my family that I was having surgery," he said.Following the surgery, Khan experienced relief from pain but was eager to return to the game. He thanked the Gujarat Titans staff, particularly Ashish Nehra and Naeem Amin, for their support during his recovery.However, the surgery has impacted his bowling, particularly his wrong'un. Khan consulted with the franchise's video analyst, Sandeep Raju, who identified that he was not hitting his lengths correctly."I am just using the fingers. There is nothing wrong with my back, but I only had this fear in my mind: what if the injury resurfaced?" Khan explained.After spot bowling sessions, Khan regained confidence in his back and has since performed well for Gujarat Titans in the IPL.