Veteran Indian middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer has penned a letter to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that he will be having a 'break from red-ball cricket' for the time being because of back stiffness and fatigue. Iyer, who has been named captain of India A squad for the current series against Australia A, withdrew from the second unofficial Test that got underway at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Tuesday, September 23. It is understood that after discussing with selectors and the selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar, Iyer went ahead to make his request official via an email. As per a report by The Indian Express, Iyer informed the selectors that he is feeling stiffness in the back and his body can no longer handle the grind of red-ball cricket. It is understood that Iyer won't be available on the field for more than four days, and as a reason, he prefers to rest his body and attempt to return in the physical shape needed to play the red-ball format. Read also: IND A vs AUS A 2025: Suthar bags five, Siraj hits stride on day one at Ekana Iyer told the board that he played one Ranji Trophy game last year when he was able to take a rest in between overs; however, he cannot do so for India A or while playing Test cricket. “He has informed us that he (Iyer) will be taking a break from red ball cricket, and it’s good that he has cleared it out because selectors are now clear about his future. He won’t be playing red ball cricket in coming months, and he has informed the board that he will assess his body in future in consultation with physios and trainer and take a call on it,” a source told the aforementioned source. Iyer has been suffering from back injuries over the past few years. But he was in contention for selection in the home Test series against the West Indies in October. Now, with his move to avoid playing red-ball cricket, Iyer's international return may be in Australia after the Tests against the West Indies.