Mumbai batsman Shreyas Iyer is set to return to the field for the fifth and final day of the Ranji Trophy summit clash against Vidarbha after recovering from back trouble that sidelined him on the penultimate day. Despite his absence on day four, Mumbai faced a resilient Vidarbha side that reached 248 for five in pursuit of an improbable 538-run target.
Following his impressive contribution of 95 runs on the third day, propelling Mumbai towards their 42nd title win, Iyer's absence was notable on the fourth day. A team source confirmed his recovery, ensuring his availability for the crucial final day of the Ranji Trophy season.
Iyer's remarkable comeback in the final followed a challenging semifinal where he struggled with the bat. During his aggressive innings, marked by 10 fours and three sixes, Iyer received on-field treatment for his back on two occasions, but he is now set to join the field for the concluding day.
The 29-year-old cricketer has been in the spotlight since being excluded from the Indian Test side in the recent series against England, citing both form and back stiffness issues. The BCCI's tough stance on players' availability for red-ball domestic matches, as emphasised by Secretary Jay Shah, resulted in Iyer and Ishan Kishan not being considered for the annual player retainership.
Iyer, a key performer in the 50-overs World Cup last year, had played one Ranji game against Andhra in February, contributing to Mumbai's campaign at the BKC Ground.
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