Shreyas Iyer, once denied a central contract due to absence in domestics, opts out of Mumbai’s Ranji match

Shreyas Iyer has pulled out of Mumbai’s final group-stage match in the current Ranji Trophy, according to the latest information. This follows a reported last-minute decision on his part to concentrate on the forthcoming three-match ODI series against England.

The Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy in Mumbai will host the match between Mumbai and Meghalaya. On Thursday, January 30, they are scheduled to play their Round 7 match.

A Mumbai Cricket Association source told The Indian Express that “(Shreyas) Iyer, (Rohit) Sharma, and (Yashasvi) Jaiswal will not be playing the next Ranji Trophy game as they will be preparing for white-ball cricket.”

The three Indian cricketing superstars all had dreadfully poor performances against Jammu & Kashmir, which the home team lost by five wickets. In Mumbai’s first and second innings,

Shreyas Iyer scored 11 and 17, respectively, making him the only one of the three to score in double figures twice.

Currently ranked third in Group A, the reigning champions would need to win by a wide margin in order to have a chance to move on to the knockout stages. With three victories, two draws, and one defeat, they now have 22 points.

The same source states that in the first week of February, the batters indicated above will report to Nagpur. India’s opening ODI match will take place at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium. Following the completion of two more ODIs, the three and the other twelve members will go to the United Arab Emirates to play in the ninth Champions Trophy installment.

During India’s white-ball tour of Sri Lanka in August 2024, Iyer made his final appearance for the country. When playing England in the ODIs, he will be looking to establish his groove. In contrast, Jaiswal’s first few ODIs are expected to be in the forthcoming 50-over series. The southpaw, who made his debut for the country in T20Is and Tests in 2023, has had to wait for his opportunity in this tournament.