India’s cricket sensation, Shreyas Iyer, finds himself amidst controversy once again as his persistent back issues resurfaced during the Ranji Trophy Final between Mumbai and Vidarbha. This setback has sparked criticism directed towards the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and raised concerns about Iyer’s participation in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
Shreyas Iyer’s recent troubles
Iyer’s recent struggles began when he was omitted from the Indian team following the second Test against England in February. Despite complaining of back pain after the match, the National Cricket Academy (NCA) deemed him fit. However, his exclusion from the BCCI central contracts list further compounded his woes.
Adhering to the BCCI’s guidelines, Iyer joined Mumbai’s squad for the Ranji Trophy, hoping to prove his fitness and form. However, his efforts were marred by a recurrence of his back issues during a crucial innings in the final match against Vidarbha.
Rising concerns
During his impressive knock of 95 runs in the second innings of the Ranji Trophy Final, Iyer was forced to halt play twice to seek treatment for back spasms from the Mumbai physiotherapist. On the following day, he was unable to take the field, raising concerns about the severity of his injury.
According to a report in Times of India, Iyer underwent a scan, indicating the potential severity of the injury and casting doubt on his availability for the upcoming IPL season. This development has left fans and cricket enthusiasts questioning whether Iyer was rushed back into competitive action prematurely.
Also READ: Twitter reactions – Ajinkya Rahane’s Mumbai clinch their record 42nd title by defeating Vidarbha in the Ranji Trophy 2024 final
Fan outrage
Fans took to social media platforms to express their frustration and disappointment, with many directing their ire towards the BCCI for the handling of Iyer’s situation. Several tweets criticized the cricket board for potentially jeopardizing Iyer’s career by overlooking his fitness concerns.
The backlash highlights the growing discontent among fans regarding the management of players’ health and well-being, raising questions about the prioritization of cricketing fixtures over player welfare.
Here is how fans reacted:
What I got to know Yesterday is #ShreyasIyer has taken injections and his body needs atleast a week rest. He may miss first few matches of #IPL https://t.co/VSXXXWV9VH
— Dipanjan Chatterjee (@I_am_DipCh) March 14, 2024
BCCI have blood on their hands. They stripped him of a contract, then forced him to play Ranji as he was recovering from an injury. Somebody should really come out, clear this mess, take responsibility and enforce their rules equally. But we know nobody has the balls to do that. https://t.co/jvf2DlXObL
— Manya (@CSKian716) March 14, 2024
All those "commitment" merchants. Where are they now?
I hope KKR sues the BCCI. This gimmick of showing "test cricket is ultimate" is totally pathetic.
There was a way to do it and this mental disturbance to players and gaslighting them into playing Ranji was not a way. At all. https://t.co/rfGJQl0g1u
— archith (@InswinginMenace) March 14, 2024
This drama of saving domestic cricket may end up costing careers. Players have already complained about the packed scheduling. They are now being forced into the competition. Sad. https://t.co/EyrnXotzOy
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) March 14, 2024
Somebody at the NCA needs to be accountable for this. https://t.co/osqNbNk7fj
— Kartik Kannan (@kartik_kannan) March 14, 2024
No way BCCI stripped him off contract & forced him to play a domestic game while he was recovering to satisfy their ego & worsened it to a point where he might miss IPL again. Will this management ever take responsibility for all the fuck ups they do? Someone needs to drag them. https://t.co/wM2ElY8RwQ
— Heisenberg ☢ (@internetumpire) March 14, 2024
In a time when players prefer playing IPL more than ints, Shreyas skipped IPL to be properly fit for CWC. Later, he went on to deliver the best possible CWC for a Middle Order batter.
BCCI is so mismanaged rn, they made Iyer question his integrity and now ruining his career. https://t.co/ssRrsDY7Uw
— Rᴀɪᴋᴀᴛ (@OverMidWicket) March 14, 2024
The real fans are the ones who always supports the right , no matter who's fan you are .
Feel for Shreyas Iyer who never used excuses to avoid domestic cricket .
Last year even skipped IPL to be fit for WC , where he dropped a banger season!
Just to set an example BCCI made… pic.twitter.com/hNG40MZPJO
— Riseup Pant Popa (@riseup_pant17) March 14, 2024
Story of Shreyas Iyer-
• BCCI didn't selected him in 2021 & 2022 T20i WC.
• BCCI rushed him in 2023 BGT and he got injured.
• Missed WTC final.
• Missed IPL 2023 to prepare for ODI WC.
• Performed excellent in ODI WC yet BCCI dropped him from central contract.#ShreyasIyer pic.twitter.com/7QNofkT1GB— Yash Godara(Shreyas ka parivar) (@105of70Mumbai) March 14, 2024
Man suffered the burn for no reason, even when it was someone else who had put on the fire. https://t.co/glCvC8r77L
— Jai (@_Jaikaal) March 14, 2024
Well done, BCCI! When a player was genuinely injured, you chose to strip him off the contract list because he didn't play dOmeStiC cRiCkEt when he wasn't there for the Indian team.
This flare up of the injury is 100% on NCA and BCCI. The point isn't even about missing the IPL of… https://t.co/N2EGoEASvR
— Jaanvi🏏 (@that_shutterbug) March 14, 2024
Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul were banned for their appearance and statements in Koffee with Karan.
Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer were removed from BCCI annual central contracts.
In both these cases, only one of them was a bigger culprit, while the other was made a scapegoat.
— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) March 14, 2024
Hello BCCI. This is what happens when you arm twist a player into playing Ranji by dropping him from the contract list. Shreyas Iyer wasn’t 100% fit for the longer format which is why he didn’t play those RT games. But sure, I’m supposed to believe you’re saving Ranji. pic.twitter.com/KlMvOlrT7N
— Areyyyyy Yaarrrrrr (@A_niche11) March 14, 2024
Hey Shreyas Iyer on behalf of Bcci i would like to inform you that you have to play IPL you cant skip it other wise forget central contract there is no place for you in indian team because we are biased and you are not our govt employee and you don't average 30
So don't dare to…— Archer (@poserarcher) March 14, 2024
When Shreyas told BCCI that he is not available for rest of the test matches against England due to his back problem, NCA issued a certificate saying Shreyas is 100% fit.
Later Agarkar MDC recommended BCCI to remove Shreyas from Contract. They are forced him to play with Injury https://t.co/aua3pwpEyd
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) March 14, 2024
When a player is saying, that he isn't feeling fit, why is a physio/trainer's word trusted more than a player ? Ranji is important, but not at the cost of fitness. Brilliant rewards by BCCI for a guy, who had a brilliant Wc and solved the no.4 issue. #CricketTwitter #IPL https://t.co/Z87abViZ7v
— Spandan Roy (@talksports45) March 14, 2024
He was forced to play Ranji matches despite not being fully fit, and now he has complained of back spasms and is doubtful for the opening matches of the IPL, Mc Bcci is ruining careers of Iyer and other talented players https://t.co/WtZFYKJYiX
— 𝐘𝐒𝐗 (@savagestranger3) March 14, 2024
Great job BCCI by forcing him to play ranji to fight for his life https://t.co/mEMi9EowyH
— GarvGotSussed (@GarvGotSussed) March 14, 2024
This is how you destroy careers. Judge cricketers as money-hungry, create that image by taking away a well-deserved contract and force them to play till they get injured. All those commentators who said BCCI's Ranji mandate "had to be done", the blood is in your hands too. https://t.co/5yJweyiWhP
— Rudransh Khurana (@rudraaaansh) March 14, 2024
Terrible from BCCI. Firstly he shouldn't even have lost the contract for the WC he has had then pushed him to play ranji believing NCA where players go & further worsen their injuries most times & now he might miss another IPL where he could've pushed his wt20 selection. https://t.co/qeOpIF53fD
— arfan (@Im__Arfan) March 14, 2024
