In a positive development, ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer has arrived at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru to evaluate his progress following a serious spleen injury. While Iyer is pushing for a comeback in the New Zealand ODIs, a clarity on that will be determined by his fitness assessment reports at the CoE in the next few days.
Iyer, who has been out of action since October, recently completed light batting sessions in Mumbai without any pain or issues. Recent medical tests, including scans, have raised no alarms, indicating a smooth healing process that has impressed the medical team at the CoE.
Over the next few days at the CoE, Iyer will face more detailed checks, including additional imaging, physical endurance drills, and supervised batting practice.
Although Iyer is keen to play in India’s upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, which begins on January 11, sources at the CoE suggest his involvement remains doubtful. The final decision will come after the Bengaluru review, with the team’s doctors prioritising a safe comeback.
“Shreyas is looking really good. His recovery has been better than what was initially expected. He will have to undergo a few mandatory checks in the next few days which includes batting at nets and simulation sessions,” a source in the know told RevSportz on condition of anonymity. “We can’t really put a date on his return as of now but a call on whether he will be available for the New Zealand series will be determined as we complete the necessary checks. At this moment, it is 50-50 but as I said, we shall have a clarity on that in the next few days. If he is doing everything without any discomfort, then there’s no reason he can’t play in that series.”
The injury happened during the third ODI against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on October 25. While diving to catch Australia’s Alex Carey, Iyer fell awkwardly, causing a spleen laceration and internal bleeding. He needed urgent hospital care in Sydney, including a small procedure to stop the bleeding, and was under close watch by doctors in both Australia and India before stabilising and returning home.
Iyer’s last competitive appearance was in that Australia ODI series. His steady performances in limited-overs cricket make his potential return a welcome prospect for the Indian side as they prepare for future assignments in ODIs.
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