Asia Cup: How Shreyas Iyer's 199 sealed his comeback bid

MUMBAI: It was a superb 199-run knock that Shreyas Iyer hit in a practice tie in Bangalore which convinced the selectors that the middle-order batsman was now fit and ready for a comeback into Team India for the Asia Cup.


Iyer was a part of the Indian team for all the three formats before a serious back injury, which required surgery in England, ruled him out of international cricket since March.

"He smashed the bowlers at the National Cricket Academy, scoring 199 in a practice tie. To provide the selectors with more evidence of his fitness, he then fielded for the entire 50 overs of that match, which was held at the Just Cricket Academy in Bangalore 3-4 days back," a reliable source in the BCCI told TOI.

While much was known about the progress KL Rahul was making after his injury, since the 'keeper-bat was putting out his videos on social media, Iyer was keeping a rather low profile. "For the past two months, he has been stationed at the NCA in Bangalore, focusing on his recovery. It's all come together nicely for him," the source said.

Posting a picture on Instagram with NCA medical chief Nitin Patel and trainer Rajnikanth Sivagnanam, Iyer wrote: "Been a long journey but I'm super grateful to the people who stood by my side to help me get to where I am today. Thank you Nitin bhai, Rajni sir & everyone at the NCA, also outside of it, who've been tirelessly helping me. Much love and much appreciated."


It's also learnt that Team India's Asia Cup preparatory camp will begin from Friday at Alur.


Northants offer Shaw contract for next season

Meanwhile, his stint may have been cruelly cut short due to a bad knee injury after just three games in the One Cup, but Northamptonshire have already offered Prithvi Shaw a contract for the next season of County cricket.

"The Northants have offered Prithvi a contract for the next season. They are extremely happy with him," a source told TOI.

It's learnt that Shaw will not need knee surgery due to the injury, and should be fine with rehab. "There is a grade 2 tear of the PCL. He is under the care of one of the world's best knee specialists in Andy Williams in London. The knee surgeon has helped many world class cricketers and footballers," a source revealed.