Iyer unlikely to be picked for last three Tests after complaining of groin and back stiffness

Shreyas Iyer (Pic: AFP)

Shreyas Iyer is unlikely to be picked in the India squad for the remainder of the IND vs ENG Test series after complaining of stiffness in his back and groin.

Iyer has had recurring troubles with his back and had also undergone a surgery last year.

The 29-year-old made 35, 13, 27, 29 in the opening two Tests and was guilty of not capitalising on starts. "He has complained of stiffness and back issue," a BCCI source told PTI.

India are already reeling with injuries to key players KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja. Star batter Virat Kohli had missed the first two Tests due to personal reasons and is unlikely to be available for the games in Rajkot and Ranchi as well.

The selectors are yet to announce the squad for the remainder of the IND vs ENG Test series but they could do that on Friday.

On Monday, India bounced back to level the five-match series with a 106-run victory in Visakhapatnam. England, who have flown back to Abu Dhabi before the third Test in Rajkot beginning February 15, won the series opener by 28 runs.

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India will be assemble in Rajkot on February 11 and England are expected to reach there a day after.

Earlier on Thursday, former England captain Nasser Hussain said that India has not been as ruthless with the bat in the absence of star Indian batter Virat Kohli during the first two Tests against England at home.

India has drawn level the five-match series 1-1 and Virat missed the first two Tests due to personal reasons. The batter is set to miss the third and fourth Test matches against England in Rajkot and Ranchi as well, according to a report from ESPNcricinfo. The former India skipper also is doubtful for the final match of the series against England in Dharamshala, the report said.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Nasser said that without Virat's aggression and "in-your-face" attitude, India has suffered in their batting.

"He is [Virat Kohli] an aggressive cricketer. He is an in-your-face cricketer, but actually, I think with the bat, in three of the four innings, India have not quite been ruthless as they would have liked to be," said Nasser. "It is 1-1 and they have batted very well. The likes of KL Rahul batted well, and Shubman Gill and young Jaiswal, with his double hundred, played brilliantly."

(With agency inputs)