Shreyas Iyer Suddenly Leaves Indian Team, Reaches Mumbai, Here’s Why?

India A will play Australia A in two multi-day matches in Lucknow, but the home team has been dealt a severe blow because it will be missing its captain and star batsman. Shreyas Iyer, who played for the team in the first four-day encounter at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow last week, will not play in the second unofficial Test. The batter is currently competing for a spot in the Indian Test team for the October 2 start of the West Indies series. Shreyas Iyer was quite ineffectual in the last game; he only managed to score eight runs off of thirteen balls in India's lone innings, in which they scored 531. Additionally, his performance for the West Zone in the Duleep Trophy semi-finals fell short of expectations. In the two innings there, he only managed to score 12 and 25.

Now, Dhruv Jurel will lead the team. “Yes, Shreyas is taking a break and has returned to Mumbai. He has informed the selectors that he won’t be able to play in the second four-day match against Australia A. However, he remains in fray for a spot in the middle-order when the selectors meet to pick the squad for the West Indies series,” a source told TOI. Dhruv Jurel, a wicketkeeper-batter who previously served as Shreyas' deputy, will captain the squad in Iyer's absence.

One of the biggest cricket stadiums in India, Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, hosted the first unofficial Test between these two sides, and it was a high-scoring contest. After Australia's first innings total of 532/6, India bowled 141.1 overs and scored 531/7 in response. In their second innings, which lasted 16 overs, Australia scored 56 runs without losing a wicket. However, the match ended in a draw as rain spoiled the play.

Shreyas Iyer Form Brings Attention

Shreyas Iyer only scored 8 runs off 13 balls in India A's lone innings in the first unofficial Test. His recent domestic performances for West Zone in the semi-final of the Duleep Trophy were equally disappointing. Selectors are anticipated to take into account his strong Champions Trophy campaign earlier this year, as well as his reliable results in the Ranji Trophy the previous season.

Shreyas Iyer is thought to be a serious candidate for the Indian Test team for the forthcoming West Indies series, which begins on October 2, even though he was left out of the second game. Meanwhile, Iyer scored 243 runs in five games at an average of 48.60, including two fifties, making him India's top run scorer during their successful campaign in the ODI Champions Trophy in February and March. However, he was left out of the team for the current Asia Cup in Dubai.

Mohammed Siraj to Join India A squad

Mohammed Siraj will join the team and take Khaleel Ahmed's spot as a left-arm pacer. Nitish Kumar Reddy, on the other hand, is still recovering from his injuries and will not play in the second game. Not to be overlooked is the likelihood that one of the best batsmen in India, KL Rahul, will also be a member of the team. Siraj will begin his preparations prior to the two-match Test series against the West Indies, as he will be the main pacer for India. Currently, Mohammed Siraj is left out of the Asia Cup squad as India will start their World Test Championship campaign at home against the West Indies.