Shreyas Iyer Withdraws From India A Squad, Steps Down as Captain Ahead of Australia A Test; Reasons Unclear: Reports

India’s middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer has withdrawn from the India A squad just hours before the second four-day unofficial Test against Australia A, scheduled to begin on Tuesday in Lucknow. While the exact reason for his sudden departure remains undisclosed, sources suggest he cited personal reasons to the BCCI.

Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel, who was Iyer’s deputy in the first match, is set to take over the captaincy. No replacement has been named for Iyer in the squad.

“Yes, Shreyas is taking a break and has returned to Mumbai. He has informed the selectors that he won’t be able to play in the second four-day match against Australia A. However, he remains in contention for a middle-order spot when the squad for the West Indies series is selected,” a source told The Times of India.

In the first unofficial Test, Iyer managed just 8 runs off 13 balls before falling lbw to Australian off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli—a decision that many at the venue felt was questionable, as the ball appeared to drift past leg stump. Earlier this month, he had also scored 25 and 12 for West Zone in the Duleep Trophy semi-final against Central Zone in Bengaluru.

Despite these recent modest returns, Iyer remains in the running for a middle-order role in India’s upcoming two-Test home series against the West Indies, starting October 2 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Earlier this year, he was India’s highest run-scorer in the ODI Champions Trophy, amassing 243 runs in five matches at an average of 48.60, although he was left out of the ongoing Asia Cup squad in Dubai.

In other changes to the India A lineup, pacer Mohammed Siraj will replace Khaleel Ahmed for the second match. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy remains sidelined with a lingering knee injury and is unlikely to feature in the playing XI.

The first four-day match between India A and Australia A ended in a high-scoring draw, with both teams crossing 530 runs. The second and final match of the series will be crucial for fringe players hoping to break into the senior Test squad.