Former Indian cricketer and Kolkata Knight Riders' assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has urged Team India to be patient with star batter Shreyas Iyer. Iyer's talent has been undeniable, however, a recurring back injury has kept him away from big tournaments such as IPL 2023 and also forced him to sideline during the crucial Super 4 match against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023.
Despite these setbacks, Nayar holds a positive perspective on Iyer's injury and the prospect of his comeback with ODI World Cup. "It was a concern, but he is good that he is coming back. It's a spasm and with a spasm, you understand it is nothing serious. He got a couple of scans done and there was nothing serious and you understand he is going to come back," Shreyas said in an interaction with JioCinema.
The void left by Iyer during IPL 2023 was evident. Representing the Kolkata Knight Riders, his absence was a considerable loss. His commendable leadership flair, coupled with his formidable batting skills, has been a topic of praise among cricket analysts, including Nayar. The former cricketer considers Iyer to embody the very essence of an excellent leader for the national side.
Navigating through the ups and downs of a player's career, Nayar advocates for a patient approach, especially with talents of Iyer's magnitude. Reflecting upon this, he expressed, "You have got to be patient with good players and I keep saying this 'form is temporary and class is permanent'. Shreyas has that class. He has shown that and has performed as well."
Furthermore, Nayar emphasised Iyer's distinct capability of tackling spin on home grounds, a skill that enhances his value in the Indian cricketing landscape. However, he also brought attention to the critical aspect of Iyer's overall physical fitness. Nayar mentioned, "It is whether or not he is fit enough to play, whether or not his body can take the workload of playing match after match. That is what you want to see."
Echoing the sentiments of many cricket enthusiasts, Nayar stated, "We all know that a player like Shreyas Iyer, in the middle order, against spin in Indian conditions, can counter-attack."
A fit and in-form Iyer would indubitably be a game-changer for the upcoming challenges that Team India faces. Iyer will be next seen in the three-match ODI series against Australia which will commence from September 22.
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