Shreyas Iyer Withdraws from India A's Second Four-Day Match vs. Australia A

Shreyas Iyer, appointed captain of the India A red-ball side, has pulled out of the second and final match of the multi-day series against Australia A. Sources say either Rajat Patidar, who was not originally part of the squad, or Dhruv Jurel will lead India A in the four-day game starting in Lucknow on Tuesday (September 23). Jurel was named vice-captain of the side.

It is not immediately clear why Iyer has pulled out of the match, but sources in the know say he returned from Lucknow to Mumbai after leading the side in the first game, which concluded in Lucknow on September 19. He is believed to have informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of his unavailability citing personal reasons. He could not be immediately reached for a comment.

Iyer was expected to be part of India's squad for the ongoing Asia Cup after his sterling showing in the IPL, but he was left out, with his non-selection for the tournament widely debated across the media. In the India A game, which ended in a high-scoring draw, he failed to make an impact, being dismissed for just eight.

Meanwhile, KL Rahul and Mohammed Siraj, who were picked for the second match, have reached Lucknow for the match. At the time of releasing the squad, the BCCI had said, "KL Rahul and Mohammed Siraj will be added to the squad for the 2nd multi-day match and will replace two players in the squad after the 1st multi-day match."

India A Squad: Abhimanyu Easwaran, N Jagadeesan (WK), Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel (VC & WK), Devdutt Padikkal, Harsh Dubey, Ayush Badoni, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Tanush Kotian, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Khaleel Ahmed, Manav Suthar, Yash Thakur, KL Rahul and Mohammed Siraj.