**Shreyas Iyer Requests Break from Red-Ball Cricket Due to Health Concerns**
*By Parth Dhall | Sep 23, 2025, 10:21 PM*
In a significant development, Indian batter Shreyas Iyer has requested a break from red-ball cricket owing to persistent back stiffness and fatigue. According to a report by *The Indian Express*, Iyer formally wrote to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to convey his decision. This announcement comes shortly after he withdrew from the 2nd unofficial Test against Australia A in Lucknow, where he was slated to captain the India A side.
### Health Issues Prompt the Break
Iyer’s health concerns have been a growing issue. The batsman revealed that he is unable to sustain playing in longer formats, stating he can’t remain on the field for over four days continuously. While he was able to manage these strains by taking intermittent breaks during last season’s Ranji Trophy matches, he finds it impossible to do the same in official Test matches or India A games.
As a result, Iyer has decided to step away from red-ball cricket until his body recovers sufficiently to handle the demands of longer formats again.
### Impact on Upcoming Test Series
A source close to the matter confirmed that “Iyer won’t be playing red-ball cricket in the coming months, and he has informed the board that he will assess his body regularly in consultation with physiotherapists and trainers before making any further decisions.”
This decision means that Iyer will miss the upcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies scheduled to be held in India. The batter, who was also absent for the England tour, had been a strong contender for a place in the Windies series squad.
### Recent Form and Career Overview
Iyer’s recent outings in red-ball cricket have been less than impressive. In the first unofficial Test against Australia A, he scored only 8 runs from 13 balls. Earlier in the month, during the Duleep Trophy semi-final representing West Zone, he managed scores of 25 and 12 against Central Zone. Despite his excellent performances in limited-overs cricket — notably a stellar run in the ICC Champions Trophy and the Indian Premier League — Iyer was omitted from the Asia Cup squad.
On the red-ball front, Shreyas Iyer has played 14 Tests for India, including one century and five half-centuries. However, he has not featured in a Test match since February 2024 against England. Last year, he briefly lost his central contract after missing Ranji Trophy quarter-finals but bounced back strongly by finishing the 2024/25 Ranji Trophy season with a remarkable total of 480 runs at an average of 68.57.
Overall, Iyer has accumulated 6,578 runs in 240 first-class matches at an average of 34.08.
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Shreyas Iyer’s break from red-ball cricket highlights the physical challenges players face in maintaining fitness for the demanding format. Fans and selectors will be hopeful for his full recovery and a strong comeback in the future.
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