Team India has suffered a big blow as the star middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer has been reportedly ruled out of the three-match ODI series against Australia.

Earlier, Rohit Sharma-led side dealt a setback in the fourth Test match of the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy when Iyer did not come out to bat in the 1st innings due to lower back pain. Iyer’s recurring back injury has forced him to pull out of the ODI series.

The right-handed batter missed the first Test of the four-match series after he failed to recover from the back injury. The same back injury had ruled Iyer out of the home ODI series between New Zealand and India earlier this year. Initially, Iyer sustained swelling in his lower back after India’s Test series win over Bangladesh last year.

Reports also suggest that if the 28-year-old player undergoes surgery, then he could be out of action for three to four months. Iyer’s injury is also a major setback for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), for whom he is the captain. KKR will need to find a replacement and announce a new captain if Iyer is unable to participate in the entire IPL 2023 league.

Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav are likely to compete for a spot in the playing XI. Besides Iyer, India will also miss the services of skipper Rohit, who will not be available for the first ODI due to personal reasons. All-rounder Hardik Pandya will lead team India in the 1st ODI against Steve Smith-led side at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Friday.