Shreyas Iyer opens up on recovery from back injury

Shreyas Iyer is all set to make a comeback after spending nearly five months recovering from a back injury. The right-hander’s injury flared up during India’s home four-match Test series against Australia, which saw Iyer miss the remainder of the home season. Subsequently, Iyer also missed the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, where he captains Kolkata Knight Riders. 

Over the next five months, the Mumbaikar has spent considerable time at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), where he worked hard on recovering from the injury. Whilst the 28-year-old considered recovery without an operation, it later became impossible for him to extend his career without going under the knife. 

"I had this issue for a while, but I was taking injections and going through various routes to see to it that I am steady and playing many more matches," Iyer told the BCCI website. "But it reached a saturation point where I realised that 'okay, now I have to get a surgery.' And the physios and the experts, the back experts, told me that it's important you go under the knife and get this done with.

"To be precise, I had this nerve compression, basically a slipped disc which was compressing the nerve and the pain was going all the way to the bottom of my tiny toe. It was horrendous, to be honest. At that point in time, I was in excruciating pain. I wasn't able to express myself properly as to what I was going through.

Iyer insisted that it was a ‘roller-coaster’ ride and revealed that the pain only started subsiding three months after the surgery. 

"It was a roller-coaster ride, to be honest," Iyer said. "The pain was there until three months [ago], and then after that, it started subsiding. But at the same time, the physios were focused on getting the range back - of my hamstring, glutes and everything.

"When you're going through rehab as a professional athlete, it is tough when the pain is not subsiding. Thankfully, I had a great set of friends around me, the support staff, and also my family. They were the ones who calmed me down. I was panicking as well, but patience is key at this point of time. So yeah, I'm truly happy to be where I am right now, because I never imagined I would recover so fast."

Iyer and KL Rahul’s recovery was integral to India’s plans for the upcoming home ODI World Cup, where they look to win their first ICC title since 2013. Both of them were passed fit and stand a chance to make their comeback in the opener of the Asia Cup tournament. Iyer underwent surgery in London in April and stayed back for three weeks before heading back to NCA. 

"The testing phase was the toughest period to go through," he said. "The physios and trainers were pretty confident of me coming back strong. But in my mind, I could feel the pain. I was pretty oblivious at that point of time, [to] whether I would pass the test or not. But over a period of time, I realised pain was subsiding and strength was improving in my legs.

"I am happy being where I am. I am ticking all boxes day by day in terms of preparation. I had a fantastic two days of practice with the boys. It was competitive and I'm happy to be here, embracing each and every moment."