SA vs IND: Here is why Shreyas Iyer didn't make it to the Johannesburg Test

After having a dream start to his Test career, Shreyas Iyer was surprisingly left out of India’s playing XI in the first Test against South Africa. A lot of pundits and experts wanted him in the eleven instead of Ajinkya Rahane in the first Test, but the Indian management had other plans. Rahane scored 48 and 20 in both the innings of the first Test and managed to hold on to his position in the side.

However, with Virat Kohli being unavailable for the second Test due to a back spasm, the stage was set for Shreyas Iyer to get into the playing XI. Instead, Hanuma Vihari, who has had a better experience in the South African conditions, was given the nod in place of Kohli. Shreyas Iyer was in fact, believed to have been left out of the playing XI until a source on Twitter informed about his unavailability due to a stomach bug.

Iyer has played two Tests, 25 ODIs, and 32 T2oIs so far with a brilliant future ahead for him. He has been the preferred number four for India in ODIs for India now and is seen as a captain in making as well.

Shreyas Iyer’s return to international cricket

The 27-year-old couldn’t find a place in the playing XI unfortunately and this is not the first time he had to be unavailable. Earlier in the year, he suffered a shoulder injury in the limited-overs games against England and had to miss out for a while. His spot in the side was picked up by Suryakumar Yadav who impressed straightaway. The right-hander will be looking to recover soon as the competition is immense in Indian cricket at the moment.

“Shreyas Iyer was also ruled out of the 2nd Test against South Africa due to stomach bug,” reported a trustable source on Twitter.

Shreyas Iyer was also ruled out of the 2nd Test against South Africa due to stomach bug.

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 3, 2022

Meanwhile, India won the toss and chose to bat first in the second Test at the Wanderers. KL Rahul has become India’s 34th captain in Tests while Jasprit Bumrah was named his deputy in Kohli’s absence. India has already taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match Test series with a phenomenal performance in Centurion.