Shreyas Iyer left India A squad mid-way as the team is locking horns with Australia A in two four-day meetings. Although the India A skipper Iyer played the first game, he requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to allow him to take a break from the red-ball format. The development comes at a time when the selectors are expected to announce India team selection for West Indies series, which begins on October 2 on home soil. Let’s take a look at the possible reasons behind Iyer opting to take a sabbatical from the longest format.

What Triggered Shreyas Iyer’s Captaincy Exit?

Shreyas Iyer was a part of the West Zone side for the Duleep Trophy, which took place from September 4 to 7. He returned with scores of 25 & 12, as Central Zone won the game based on the first-innings lead. According to Cricbuzz, Iyer felt discomfort during the game, which could be his long-standing back issue. Thereafter, Iyer led the India A squad in the first game of the two-match Test series against Australia from September 16 to 19 in Lucknow. However, Iyer dropped a bombshell when he decided to pull out of the second fixture, which is currently being played in the same venue.

🚨 SHREYAS IYER WANTS A BREAK. 🚨

– Iyer has written to the BCCI that he’ll be taking a break from red ball cricket due to back stiffness and fatigue issues. (Express Sports). pic.twitter.com/MElCnAeBbh

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 23, 2025

Shreyas Iyer left the India A squad after an interaction with BCCI physios and India A coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar. He then reportedly wrote an email to BCCI before leaving for Mumbai. Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy exit resulted in Dhruv Jurel being elected as the leader of the India A side for the second fixture.

Shreyas Iyer Left India A Reportedly Due to Back Issues

Shreyas Iyer underwent back surgery in 2023, which ruled him out of the IPL that year. However, he returned to feature for the Indian team in the Asia Cup and the World Cup. He was one of the finest batters for the home side with 530 runs at an average of 66.25. The right-hander experienced back spasms during the test series against England in February 2024, which resulted in him being ruled out of the series. Since then, he hasn’t been part of the Indian Test side.

Related Article：Shreyas Iyer vs Devdutt Padikkal：One Test Spot, Two Hungry Contenders

Shreyas Iyer has been reluctant to participate in first-class cricket and was forced by the BCCI to play Ranji Trophy for Mumbai in the 2024-25 season. After appearing in the tournament, he was back in the BCCI’s central contracts list for the 2024-25 edition. As per reports, Iyer has informed chief selector Ajit Agarkar that he is struggling to spend a day on the field for two consecutive days during the India A vs Australia A series. Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy exit signals a serious problem with his back injury being a recurring issue, as he tries to make a comeback to the national red-ball side.

🗒️ BCCI statement 🗒️

Mr Shreyas Iyer has informed the BCCI of his decision to take a six-month break from red-ball cricket. Having undergone back surgery in the UK and managed his recovery well, he has recently experienced recurring back spasms and stiffness while playing the… pic.twitter.com/tI43YlQbMW

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) September 25, 2025

The development is a major blow to his India team selection for West Indies series. The selectors will convene in the coming days to announce the squad for the two-match Test series. As Shreyas Iyer left India A and decided to pause his red-ball career, Devdutt Padikkal has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Karun Nair for the home series against the Caribbean side.

🚨 SHREYAS IYER UPDATE 🚨

– BCCI confirmed that Shreyas Iyer is taking a 6 month break from the Red ball cricket. pic.twitter.com/hOwPIeiWmu

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 25, 2025

After electing Shreyas Iyer as a leader for the India A side, the selectors gave him a path for the red-ball comeback. However, after experiencing discomfort reportedly due to back issues, his Test career isn’t going anywhere. If Iyer intends to don the Whites for India again, he will have to prove his merit in the 2025-26 edition of the Ranji Trophy.

Does It Affect Shreyas Iyer’s White-Ball Career?

Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy exit doesn’t necessarily impact his white-ball career. He was India’s best batter in the 2025 Champions Trophy with 243 runs, playing a key role in the team’s title victory.

🚨 Shreyas Iyer on indefinite break from red ball cricket. He wrote the same to BCCI.

BCCI wanted Shreyas Iyer for West Indies series & made him captain for India A in order to prepare him for the same. But Shreyas Iyer has pulled himself from Australia A series and wants a… pic.twitter.com/BjMQjvpCy9

— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) September 23, 2025

The 30-year-old also stole the show with his leadership and batting display during the IPL 2025 for the Punjab Kings. He smashed 604 runs at an average of 50.33, as the Kings emerged as the runner-up.
Hence, Iyer was expected to find a place in India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad, as he had been in stellar form. However, he could not find a place in the roster and was absent from the backup list as well. The decision caused a major uproar among the cricket fraternity, as they were unhappy with the selectors’ decision. Although Shreyas Iyer is out of contention for the India team selection for West Indies series, he is likely to remain available for the white-ball commitments.

🚨 NEWS 🚨

India A and Rest of India squads announced.

Details 🔽https://t.co/dxKoR98VzX

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 25, 2025

India is set to play three ODIs and five T20Is against Australia from October 19 to November 8. It is speculated that Iyer will find a place in the ODI side, which will have the presence of stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Shreyas Iyer left India A and could also be a surprise inclusion in the T20I side, as he might be helpful in the subcontinent pitches for the T20 World Cup next year. With his ability to manoeuvre the spinners and stamp authority on them, he could play a crucial part in the bilateral series at home against South Africa and New Zealand in the coming months.