Shreyas Iyer Requests BCCI for Break from Red-Ball Cricket as He Wants to Improve His Fitness

India batter Shreyas Iyer wants to take a break from red-ball cricket. He has requested the BCCI to relieve him from playing Tests and first-class cricket as he wants to work on his fitness. The time period has not been specified but it is not a long one, as per Cricbuzz. The 30-year-old has not played Tests since 2023. He was recently not picked for the series in England and was also left out of the Asia Cup 2025 which is going in in the T20I format. He continues to be an ODI regular though.

Shreyas Iyer Exited India A Team Just Hours Before Match

This comes in the wake of Shreyas withdrawing from the India A captaincy and withdrawing from the team just hours before the game vs Australia A. At that time the reason given was ‘personal’. He has also spoken to chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

© X/BCCI

Why Does Shreyas Iyer Want a Break?

So what triggered the decision? Shreyas felt discomfort during the Duleep Trophy while playing for West Zone earlier in September. He faced something similar while leading India A vs Australia A in the previous week. After the game he spoke to the BCCI physios and India A coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar. Then he wrote to the BCCI.

"He is only seeking a break. After working on his fitness, he will reset his red-ball career and come back stronger," a source told Cricbuzz.

© X/BCCI

Shreyas Iyer’s White-Ball Career Still Continues

While Shreyas’ red-ball career is on a hiatus, his white-ball one is still in full flow. He is expected to be part of the ODI squad for the series in Australia that begins on October 19. He may even be picked for T20Is though he has not played any since 2023.

Shreyas Iyer’s Red-Ball Numbers

In 24 innings from 14 Tests with two not-outs, Shreyas has made 811 runs at an average of 36.86 that include a 100 and five 50s with a top score of 105. His first-class career has seen him accumulate 6408 runs in 83 games and 140 innings with six unbeaten knocks plus an average of 47.82 including 15 100s and 33 50s along with a top score of 233. He turns 31 this year so Shreyas still has some good years left and time to make a red-ball comeback.