India’s prominent batter, Shreyas Iyer, recently opened up about his struggles with back issues, particularly after the 2023 ODI World Cup, and how missing a few first-class games last season, citing back problems, culminating in him losing his central contract with the BCCI. Iyer, who captains the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL, shared that his concerns about his back problems were initially dismissed.

Shreyas Iyer’s Back Problems

Iyer first raised concerns about his back following the 2023 ODI World Cup. Despite his efforts to communicate the severity of his condition, he needed more agreement from the medical staff and team management.

After the World Cup, Iyer’s struggles continued. He noted significant difficulties while playing in longer formats, an issue that was exacerbated by his unaddressed back problems.

“I was definitely struggling after the World Cup in the longer format,” Iyer, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain, said a day before the IPL final against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Chennai. “When I raised my concern, no one was agreeing to it.

“But at the same time the competition is with myself. When the IPL was approaching all I wanted to see was that I’ve put my best foot forward and whatever planning and strategising we [KKR] did before it, basically if we could execute it to the best of our abilities, we would have been in a great spot – and that’s where we are right now.”

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Return to Competitive Cricket

Iyer’s return to form led to his selection for the first two home Tests against England in early 2024. However, back spasms following the second Test forced him out of the remaining matches. This disruption highlighted ongoing concerns about his fitness and readiness for continuous play.

Conflicting Commitments

Conflicting commitments compounded his challenges. Iyer missed several Ranji Trophy games for his domestic side, Mumbai, while attending a KKR pre-season camp. This decision drew scrutiny, particularly given the timing and importance of these domestic fixtures.

BCCI’s Stance

The BCCI’s stance on prioritizing domestic cricket over the IPL added another layer of complexity. Secretary Jay Shah’s warning to players underscored the importance of domestic commitments. Despite meeting the minimum criteria set by the board, Iyer lost his central contract, a decision influenced by these conflicting priorities.

Injury Management and Communication

Iyer’s communication with the Mumbai Cricket Association indicated his ongoing struggles with back spasms, even though he was medically cleared for selection. This discrepancy highlighted issues in injury management and the importance of clear communication between players and management.

Preparations for IPL

Transitioning from red-ball to white-ball cricket posed its own set of challenges. Iyer discussed the difficulty of this transition and the importance of strategizing and planning to excel in the IPL. His preparations ensured he could contribute effectively to KKR’s campaign.

Talking about his preparations for the IPL, Iyer said: “The transformation from red-ball cricket to white ball, it’s kind of difficult as a batsman and also as a bowler, I feel. It was kind of difficult at the start but once you get used to it, I think you pick up the pace and march on with the other players.”

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has stirred controversy by accusing skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid of meddling with the World Cup 2023 final pitch. His allegations have raised questions about the integrity of pitch preparation and its influence on match outcomes.

Mohammad Kaif’s Allegations

Kaif, who was present at the Narendra Modi Stadium during the final, claimed to have witnessed changes in the pitch over three days. He asserted that the Indian team management, including Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid, intervened to manipulate the pitch conditions to favor slow bowling.

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Kaif’s Statements and Criticism

In an interview with The Lallantop, Kaif expressed disappointment over the pitch manipulation tactics employed by the Indian team management. He criticized the decision to alter the pitch excessively, attributing it to India’s defeat in the final.

Kaif said, “Emotions the. 2003 mein inse (Australia) hum haare the. Main waha 3 din tha. Rohit Sharma shaam ko aaye, Dravid dono shaam ko aaye. Pitch pe gaye, ghume kaisi pitch hai. Ye 3 din lagatar hua hai aur maine pitch ka rang badalte hue dekha hai. Cummins hai Starc hai, inke pass tezz gendbaazi hai, toh inko naa slow pitch do aur waha galti hui. 100%. Chahe log kitna bhi bole ki curator apna kaam karta hai, hum kuch nahi bolte, bakwaas hai. (Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma arrived in the evening to examine the field. They stood behind the pitch every hour for three days, and I witnessed the pitch turn a different color. Give them slow pitches because they have fast bowlers like Starc and Cummins. And that’s where they went wrong. People saying that the curator makes the pitch and no one has a say is just rubbish. This is the truth, even if people don’t want to believe it).

Host Country’s Influence on Pitch Preparation

Kaif acknowledged the host country’s prerogative to dictate pitch conditions but cautioned against excessive interference. While conceding that such practices are commonplace in cricket, Kaif emphasized balance and fair play in pitch preparation.

Kaif said, “You have to express just two sentences when you are moving across the field. Please don’t add water; just cut down on the grass. That is reality. And it should to be carried out. You’re at home playing. And we overindulged in it.”

Impact on the World Cup Final

The pitch alterations purportedly backfired on India as Australia emerged victorious in the final, chasing down a target of 240 runs. Despite early success, the Indian bowlers struggled to contain Travis Head, who played a pivotal role in Australia’s triumph.

Australia’s Victory and Indian Strategy

Despite India’s efforts to tailor the pitch to their advantage, Australia’s bowlers, particularly Pat Cummins, demonstrated resilience and adaptability. Cummins’ decision to bowl first in a final, despite conventional wisdom favoring batting first, proved instrumental in securing Australia’s victory.