Shreyas Iyer, captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders, is questionable for at least the first part of IPL 2023. While Iyer has chosen not to have surgery for a reoccurring lower-back problem, he has been urged to relax while he continues his rehabilitation. The injury caused him to withdraw from the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test before he was ruled out of the One-Day International series against Australia.

It is believed that there is no set timeline for Iyer’s comeback, and he will continue to be monitored by the BCCI’s medical personnel at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru in the foreseeable future. Knight Riders have not given up hope, though, and anticipate their skipper to return before the IPL’s midway point.

Shreyas Iyer’s injury makes him a questionable starter

It has been determined that Iyer’s troubles stem from a protrusion in one of his spinal discs, which has caused a pinched nerve. The nerve that travels along the right leg has produced Iyer’s calf pain, which is exacerbated by movement limitations. It is said that Iyer has recently received six injections to assist alleviate the discomfort in his back.

Iyer, who was 28 years old at the time, initially felt soreness in his lower back last December, shortly following the Bangladesh trip. Then, he was overlooked for the home ODI series against New Zealand and the first Test against Australia.

He participated in the second and third Tests of the Australia series upon his comeback. Although having fielded for the first two days of the final Test in Ahmedabad, Iyer did not bat in India’s sole innings of the match due to a recurrence of back problems.

After returning home, Iyer contacted a Mumbai-based spine surgeon. Two alternatives were provided to him: rest, rehabilitation, and waiting for the discomfort to decrease before commencing conditioning and mobility activities. If it fails, go to the second option: surgery. The BCCI medical staff reportedly sought a second opinion from a London-based physician who had performed Hardik Pandya’s back surgery. The London specialist also recommended sticking with the original option.

Iyer has informed the BCCI medical staff that he want to investigate all surgical alternatives before making a final decision. He has also gotten full support from the administration of the Knight Riders, who assisted him in consulting an Ayurveda specialist for noninvasive alternative medicine.

Who can be the temporary captain of KKR?

The administration of the Knight Riders has begun contemplating substitute captain Iyer’s absence. Sunil Narine and Nitish Rana are said to be among the frontrunners, but the Knight Riders are mulling on who would be the greatest pick as an all-around package: a man-manager, a skilled communicator, a leader of teammates, and someone who can get the most out of them under duress.

Since joining the team in 2012, Narine has been the finest player for the Knight Riders. He recently led Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the maiden season of the ILT20 in the UAE. In the six-team competition, Knight Riders’ skipper Narine endured a difficult season with a record of one victory and eight losses.

In 12 T20s for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Rana has guided Delhi to eight victories and four losses.