Shreyas Iyer reveals details of rehabilitation journey
Iyer’s presence in the Asia Cup squad marks his return to competitive cricket for the first time since March. The Mumbai batter had missed a part of the Ahmedabad Test against Australia due to a bulging slipped disc.
Iyer’s presence is key to the India batting line-up, and is a possible solution to their number four quandary. The batter has played 20 innings at the position with 805 runs to his name at an average of 47.35.
In an interview with the BCCI, Iyer stated that his current routine focussed on staying in the present and keeping his preparation in order ahead of both the Asia Cup and a home Cricket World Cup campaign.
"See, for me it is important for me to be in the present and do my routines right," Iyer said.
"I don’t want to think about what is going to happen beyond and what has happened in the past.
"I’m happy being where I am. I’m ticking all the boxes day by day. In terms of preparation, I had fantastic two days of practice with the boys and also it was competitive. So happy to be here right now and embracing each and every moment.”
He also opened up on the nature of his injury.
"To be precise, I had this nerve compression, basically this slipped disc which was compressing the nerve and the pain was going all the way down to the bottom of my tiny toe. And it was horrendous, at that point of time, and I was in excruciating pain."
The batter underwent surgery in London in May and was in the NCA in rehabilitation.
Iyer stated that going through rehabilitation was a tough ask. The player was thankful to his friends, support staff and family, who supported him in this journey.
"As a professional athlete, it is tough when the pain is not subsiding. Thankfully I had a great set of friends around me and support staff and also my family," Iyer said.
"So they were the ones who calmed me down in this situation. I was panicking but patience is the key at this point of time especially. I’m truly happy to be where I am right now, because I never imagined that I would recover so fast."
India begin their Asia Cup campaign against Pakistan on 2 September, with India's first Cricket World Cup match on 8 October.