Overview

• He informed chairman Ajit Agarkar and the selectors in writing that back stiffness and fatigue prevent him from handling multi-day workloads.
• He pulled out of the second four-day India A match against Australia A in Lucknow, where Dhruv Jurel took over leadership.
• Selectors expect him to skip red-ball cricket for the coming months, effectively ruling him out of near-term Test contention.
• Sources say he told the board he struggles to stay on the field beyond four consecutive days and will reassess with physios and trainers.
• Reports add he will undergo further evaluation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, following prior back issues and a 2024 contracts dispute.