India vs Australia - "If He Is Ready To Take The Load...": Rahul Dravid Names Batter Who Might Make A Comeback In Second Test

Shreyas Iyer would "walk back" into India playing eleven if he can take the load of a five-day Test as he deserves a spot in the side after playing some under-pressure knocks recently, head coach Rahul Dravid said on Wednesday. Iyer had sustained a lower back injury during the white-ball series against Sri Lanka last month and had to undergo a one-month rehabilitation programme at the National Cricket Academy. Iyer also missed the first Test against Australia where Suryakumar Yadav made his debut. Dravid kept his cards close to his chest on whether Iyer is ready to take the rigours of the longest format, but he made an important point about team management's philosophy where any performing player if he comes back after injury would automatically get his place back.

"It is always good to have somebody back from injury. We never like to lose people to injuries and it is never nice for a team, nice for that individual and glad that he (Iyer) is fit. We will take a call after a couple of training sessions."

Dravid and the team's medical support staff will assess Iyer's match fitness after the second and final training session on Thursday. "Today, he has done some training. We will again assess it tomorrow as well when he comes in for a light hit and see how he feels," the head coach said.

"But certainly, if he is ready to take the load of a five-day Test match, then without doubt, with his performances in the past, he will walk straight into the side."

Iyer has not played any competitive game for 32 days and getting into a Test match without any tangible game time could also be a stretch on the body.

However, Dravid has no hesitation in stating that a replacement player, even if he scores a hundred or takes five wickets,