Shreyas Iyer gears up for India comeback with solid 199 in practice game at National Cricket Academy

Shreyas Iyer. (Photo Source: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Shreyas Iyer’s comeback has arguably been the most-awaited news, as the all-important tournaments like Asia Cup and ODI World Cup are just round the corner. The cricketing fraternity gained much relief after Iyer was announced as fit. Notably, the middle-order batter is gearing up for the continental tournament, which will mark his comeback after a prolonged back injury. India, meanwhile, will start their Asia Cup campaign against the arch-rivals Pakistan on September 2.

Currently, at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Iyer participated in a practice game on August 18, which reaffirmed the speculations surrounding his fitness. Reportedly, the right-handed batter batted for a total of 38 overs, followed by 50 overs of fielding in the simulation game. A BCCI source aware of the matter said that Iyer scored 199 in the practice game.

“He smashed the bowlers at the National Cricket Academy, scoring 199 in a practice tie. To provide the selectors more evidence of his fitness, he then fielded for the entire 50 overs of the match, which was held at the Just Cricket Academy in Bangalore 3/4 days back,” the BCCI source said as per The Times of India.

Following the same, he was announced in the 17-member squad for the Asia Cup on Monday, August 21, when All-India Men’s Selection Committee chief Ajit Agarkar opened up about Iyer’s fitness in a presser. It is worth mentioning that KL Rahul, who couldn’t participate in the practice game due to a niggle, was also announced as the designated keeper-batter for the upcoming event.

Team India gathers for 5-day training camp

Team India will begin its stint in the Asia Cup starting September 2 in a game against the arch-rivals Pakistan. Meanwhile, to better prepare and be match-ready for the multi-nation tournament, the Indian team led by Rohit Sharma will engage in a 5-day training camp in Karnataka State Cricket Association’s (KSCA) facility on the outskirts of Bengaluru.

Pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna will join the Indian side on Friday, August 25. The ace pacers, along with Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson, are set to unite with the Indian huddle after returning to India from the recently culminated series against Ireland, which India won 2-0.