Shreyas Iyer Shines in Comeback Match at Vijay Hazare Trophy
Shreyas Iyer's Impressive Return to Cricket
Shreyas Iyer, the vice-captain of Team India in ODIs, made a remarkable return to competitive cricket as he led Mumbai in the sixth round of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025/26 against Himachal Pradesh at the Jaipuriya Vidhalaya Ground in Jaipur on January 6.
After being sidelined for nearly three months due to a spleen injury sustained during the final ODI against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground in October, Iyer underwent surgery for laceration and bleeding. He spent a week in a Sydney hospital before continuing his recovery back in India.
Challenges Faced by Iyer
Due to his injury, Iyer missed the ODI series against South Africa and had to withdraw from red-ball cricket for six months due to ongoing back issues, which required surgery in April 2023. Currently, he is not part of the T20I setup, having been left out of the squad for the T20 World Cup.
Iyer's Comeback Before International Series
Iyer has been selected for the Indian squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting January 11. Before his international return, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) cleared him to play in Mumbai's remaining two Group Stage matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Despite initial concerns regarding his fitness due to weight loss and muscle mass reduction post-surgery, the BCCI medical team at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru approved his participation after he completed the return-to-play protocol.
A Stellar Performance in His Comeback Match
In his first competitive match since October, Iyer delivered a captain's performance, scoring 82 runs off 53 balls, reaching his fifty in just 36 balls. His efforts helped Mumbai set a total of 299/9 in 50 overs against Himachal Pradesh.
Iyer's innings included 10 fours and 3 sixes, showcasing a strike rate of 154.72. His partnerships, including a crucial 82-run stand for the fourth wicket with Musheer Khan and a 65-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Suryakumar Yadav, were pivotal in Mumbai's recovery.
Positive Signs for Team India Ahead of New Zealand Series
Iyer's impressive comeback performance has likely reassured the team management regarding his fitness and form ahead of the ODI series against New Zealand. He has been named vice-captain for the series, contingent on fitness clearance, and his strong showing in the VHT match has alleviated any concerns.
With Iyer's return, Ruturaj Gaikwad, who filled in during Iyer's absence and scored a century in the Raipur ODI, will make way for Iyer, who is expected to reinforce India's middle order with his experience.
Fan Excitement and Future Prospects
Fans are thrilled with Iyer's performance after his two-month injury hiatus, as he appears ready to reclaim his role in India's middle order for the upcoming series against New Zealand.
Iyer has been a reliable middle-order batsman for India, having been the highest run-scorer in the ODI series against England and the Champions Trophy last year, accumulating 243 runs. His ODI career stats include 2917 runs, with 5 centuries and 23 fifties at an average of 47.81 across 73 matches.