Shreyas Iyer's Return to Cricket Delayed Ahead of New Zealand ODI Series

Shreyas Iyer's return to competitive cricket has been postponed as he is likely to miss the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand due to a spleen injury. After undergoing treatment and rehabilitation, Iyer has lost significant weight, affecting his strength levels. While he has shown signs of recovery, the BCCI medical team is taking a cautious approach regarding his return. This delay also impacts his participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he was expected to play before rejoining the national team. As the situation develops, Ruturaj Gaikwad is expected to retain his place in the squad.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 30, 2025, 20:27 IST

Shreyas Iyer's Injury Update

The return of Team India's ODI vice-captain and middle-order batsman, Shreyas Iyer, to competitive cricket has been postponed. He is expected to miss the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, which kicks off on January 11. Iyer has been sidelined since October due to a spleen injury sustained during the final ODI against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Details of the Injury

Iyer experienced internal bleeding, which was promptly diagnosed and treated, leading to his stabilization. The 31-year-old spent a week hospitalized before being discharged. Following his release, he continued his recovery in Sydney under the supervision of a medical team from the BCCI.

Impact on Upcoming Matches

Due to this injury, Iyer missed the ODI series against South Africa and is not included in the T20I plans. He has also taken a six-month hiatus from red-ball cricket to address ongoing back issues, focusing on enhancing his fitness and endurance, as confirmed by the BCCI.

Weight Loss Post-Surgery

Reports indicate that Shreyas Iyer has started batting in the nets and undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. However, his return to competitive play has been further postponed due to significant weight loss following his spleen surgery, which was necessitated by a serious injury in Sydney.

A BCCI official revealed that Iyer has lost 6 kilograms, which has impacted his muscle strength. The medical team is being cautious, given his importance to the ODI squad.

The official stated, 'While there are no issues with his batting, he lost around six kgs after the injury in Australia. Although he has regained some weight, the reduction in muscle mass has affected his strength levels.'

Future Prospects

As uncertainty surrounds his return for the ODI series against New Zealand, it appears that Iyer will also miss the group stage of the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy for Mumbai. Initially, he was expected to play in two matches before rejoining the national team.

However, due to his current condition and the BCCI's cautious approach, he is likely to be unavailable for the group stage. A source from the Mumbai Cricket Association mentioned, 'There were positive signs as he practiced in Mumbai and pushed himself for the New Zealand ODIs, but we have now been informed that he requires more time and will only be available for the knockout stages of the tournament.'

Performance Before Injury

In the recent ODI series against Australia, Shreyas Iyer scored a total of 72 runs at an average of 36 across two matches. After a disappointing start with just 11 runs in the first match, he bounced back with a solid 61-run performance, forming a crucial partnership with former captain Rohit Sharma.

Replacement in the Squad

With Iyer's absence in the three-match ODI series against South Africa, Ruturaj Gaikwad stepped into the No. 4 position and scored a century in the second match. Given Iyer's likely unavailability for the New Zealand series, Ruturaj is expected to maintain his spot in the squad.