Indian cricket and injury, the two words are becoming synonymous day by day. In 2022, they had to suffer a lot due to injuries. India has to play big events like World Cup, Asia Cup without several important cricketers. Same problem continues in the new year. Shreya Iyer got injured. He will not be able to play in the ODI series against New Zealand at home.

According to the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI), Iyer is suffering from a back injury. Due to which he will miss the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. The right-handed batsman has also been asked to go to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore for rehabilitation. Young batsman Rajat Patidar has been called up as Iyer’s replacement.

Meanwhile, India is also not getting Lokesh Rahul in this series against the Kiwis. But the reason for Rahul’s absence is different. Not due to injury, the right-handed wicketkeeper-batsman took time off for his wedding ceremony. BCCI has granted his leave. KS Bharat is likely to get a chance to play at least one match among the new players in this series. Because, the Indian management has kept this wicketkeeper in the plan.

However, to avoid this injury problem, BCCI has announced various plans. The board’s new director, Roger Binney, said one of his goals was to keep players injury-free. He said that the players should have enough rest and keep the workload in mind. At the same time, Bini also said that the NCA will also modernize the doctors.

Meanwhile, the three-match ODI series against the Kiwis starts from January 18. The remaining two matches of the series will be held on January 21 and 24. After the ODI, the two teams will play a three-match T20 series. Those three matches will be played on January 27, 29 and February 1. However, time will tell if Iyer can play in the T20 series after recovering from the back injury.

India squad

Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan (wk), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Suryakumar Yadav, KS Bharat (wk), Hardik Pandya (vc), Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umran Malik.