Jadeja cleared to join Test squad; Iyer doubtful for Nagpur opener
February 02 2023 by Cricbuzz Staff
Good news for one, not so for the other.
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been cleared to participate in the series-opening Nagpur Test against Australia by the National Cricket Academy. A fitness report on his readiness to participate was issued by the NCA on Wednesday (February 1), paving the way for him to join the rest of the squad in Nagpur, where the team will have a short camp in preparation for the Test and the series.
Jadeja last turned out for India in August 2022 at the Asia Cup in Dubai. A knee injury sustained there required surgical treatment, ruling him out of action for five months. He missed the T20 WC in Australia and although he was originally named to return on the tour of Bangladesh, he was eventually withdrawn.
The 34-year-old returned to competitive action last week in a Ranji Trophy game for Saurashtra against Tamil Nadu. He sent down 41.1 overs in that game and bagged a second-innings seven-fer, underscoring his readiness for Test match loads.
NCA monitoring Iyer’s fitness
While Jadeja’s return is an obvious boost to India’s chances in Nagpur, the hosts are set to start the marquee series without their in-form middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer.
Iyer was ruled out of the New Zealand series with a back injury and reported immediately to the NCA for rehabilitation work in a bid to get fit before the start of the Australia Tests. While those monitoring Iyer’s fitness status have yet to categorically rule him out of the Nagpur game, he is set to remain at the NCA in Bengaluru and work on his rehab program in a bid to be available for the second Test in Delhi starting February 17.
Ⓒ Cricbuzz
