Shreyas Iyer Sends Letter to BCCI Requesting Break From Red-Ball Cricket, Will Miss WI Test Series

A few hours after quitting as India A captain and leaving the Lucknow camp in the middle of the red-ball series against Australia A, Shreyas Iyer has reportedly written to the BCCI asking for a break from the longer format. According to PTI, Iyer has requested not to play in Test matches for now, saying he is dealing with some physical issues that came up again during the first unofficial Test.

Shreyas Iyer has asked the BCCI for a break from the longer format, saying he cannot stay on the field for more than four days at a time. He managed similar issues last season during the Ranji Trophy with short breaks, but that is not possible in Test matches or India A games. Iyer, who was recently named India A captain for the ongoing unofficial Test series against Australia A, skipped the second four-day match in Lucknow after discussing his fitness with the selectors and chairman Ajit Agarkar and then officially informed the board in writing.

“While he informed the India A team management that he had gone to Mumbai for personal reasons, he has informed the chairman of the selection committee that his back can't take the rigours of first-class and Test cricket for the time being,” a BCCI source told PTI. Shreyas has also made his request official by sending a letter to chairman Ajit Agarkar.

Shreyas Iyer to Miss Upcoming West Indies Test Series

Shreyas Iyer will miss the upcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies, which would have been his first Test since being dropped during the England series in February 2024. He withdrew from the second unofficial Test against Australia A and informed the BCCI after talking with the selection committee. Many expected him to return after Karun Nair didn’t perform well in England and Iyer’s role as India A captain had hinted at a comeback. With this decision, he is stepping away from red-ball cricket for now and will likely miss the Ranji Trophy season starting October 15.

Shreyas Iyer will now go to the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru to check his back and follow a proper recovery plan. He has had back issues before, even during the last domestic season. This isn’t the first time he has stepped away from red-ball cricket, he missed several Ranji Trophy games last season and the home Test series against England. Still, he has done well in the longer format, including a debut century and a big score of 65 against New Zealand in 2021, and he can bat for long periods against spin. But staying fit and consistent has been a challenge.

In white-ball cricket, Iyer has been in great form. He won the ICC Champions Trophy with India in February 2025 and led Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 final, after previously captaining Kolkata Knight Riders to their third title. His recent success in shorter formats may have influenced his choice to focus there and protect his body. His recent red-ball scores have been mixed, he had big innings like 95 in the 2024 Ranji final, 142 against Maharashtra, and 233 against Odisha, but later in the Duleep Trophy, he managed only 47, 11, 17, 25, and 12. His skill and patience are still there, but the physical demands of Tests and long-format cricket seem to be taking a toll.

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