'Iyer ticked 99% of parameters, Axar has a small tear': Rohit Sharma drops massive fitness update and return timeline of injured players

Rohit Sharma said that Shreyas Iyer has made steady progress, ticked 99 percent of the parameters set for him and passed different tests after suffering from back spasms.

SportsTak

• Sun • 17 Sep 2023

Highlights:

Rohit Sharma said that Axar Patel has a 'small tear' and is set to be out for a week or even 10 days.

Team India captain Rohit Sharma dropped massive injury updates on star batter Shreyas Iyer and all-rounder Axar Patel after the Men in Blue clinched their record-extending eighth Asia Cup title by defeating Sri Lanka by 10 wickets at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on September 17 (Sunday). The 'Hitman' said that Iyer has made steady progress, ticked 99 percent of the parameters set for him and passed different tests after suffering from back spasms. The Indian skipper also affirmed that the right-handed will be ready for the three-match ODI series against Australia.

On Axar, Rohit said that the all-rounder has a 'small tear' and is set to be out for a week or even 10 days. The Indian captain also affirmed that Axar might miss the opening two ODIs against the Baggy Greens.

Rohit provided the updates during the post-match press conference after India's triumph in the Asia Cup final.

In the match against Bangladesh on September 15 (Friday), Axar sustained some nasty blows to his forearm and fingers. The Indian team physio was also spotted working on Axar's hamstring during the dying stages of the match. Washington Sundar flew to Colombo and joined the Indian squad ahead of the Asia Cup final. Sundar was included in India's playing XI for the final in place of Axar.

Iyer, meanwhile, played the opening two matches for India in the Asia Cup before getting ruled out just before the Men in Blue's Super 4s stage match against Pakistan. Rohit, at the time, had said that Iyer complained of back spasms and hence was replaced by KL Rahul.

The three-match ODI series between India and Australia is scheduled to commence on September 22. It would be interesting to see whether Rohit brings back Iyer into the playing XI straightaway or if he decides to persist with Rahul at No.4 and Ishan Kishan at No.5.

With Axar's injury, it would also be interesting to see who replaces the all-rounder for the white-ball series against the Baggy Greens.