Shreyas Iyer reassures fans with recovery update
The Men in Blue managed to turn things around in the ODI series Down Under with a thumping win in Sydney. The 9-wicket victory in the IND vs AUS 3rd ODI was headlined by the unbeaten 168-run partnership between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The win was also fueled by the visitors' impressive fielding and bowling efforts in the first innings. However, the outstanding work in the field eventually came at a cost for India. Shreyas Iyer injured himself badly as he threw his body on the line to complete a catch to dismiss Alex Carey. The 30-year-old was later revealed to have suffered a ruptured spleen, leaving his fans and the entire cricket fraternity deeply concerned.
Shreyas Iyer addresses fans for the first time after sustaining a serious injury during the IND vs AUS 3rd ODI
Shreyas Iyer has shared his first message since suffering a lacerated spleen during the IND vs AUS 3rd ODI on Saturday, opening up about his condition after several days of concern. In his note, the Indian ODI vice-captain mentioned that his recovery is progressing steadily and expressed heartfelt gratitude to fans who have sent him support and well-wishes throughout the past five days.
"I'm currently in recovery process and getting better, every passing day. I'm deeply grateful to see all kind of wishes and support I’ve received – it truly means a lot. Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts," he mentioned on his Instagram story.
The incident occurred when Iyer completed a running catch to dismiss Australia’s Alex Carey in the first innings of the final India vs Australia ODI contest. What initially seemed like a brilliant fielding moment quickly shifted to worry, as Iyer collapsed in visible distress. His strained expressions and the way he clutched his ribs made it clear that something was seriously wrong. Though he managed to get back on his feet eventually, the physio had to escort him off the field, with teammates and viewers stunned by how suddenly the situation changed.
The following day, it was reported that Iyer was dealing with internal bleeding and had been shifted to the ICU at a hospital in Sydney. The BCCI later released an official update confirming that the injury sustained during the IND vs AUS 3rd ODI involved damage to his spleen. Several media outlets suggested that surgery was required, but BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia denied those claims shortly after.
Even so, early signs caused considerable alarm with updates suggesting that the condition of Shreyas Iyer deteriorated as soon as he reached the dressing room. The alarming situation following the conclusion of the India vs Australia ODI series prompted immediate medical intervention that may have prevented a far more dangerous outcome.
Although Iyer's latest message provides reassurance that he is recovering, the 30-year-old is unlikely to return to the field anytime soon. As per a recent report, the expected recovery period could extend to two months, ruling him out of the India vs South Africa ODI series and putting his participation in the January series versus New Zealand in serious doubt.
Meanwhile, Iyer's prolonged absence will be felt, considering the stability and experience he brings to India’s middle order in the 50-over format. After a modest outing of 11 runs in Perth in the IND vs AUS opener, he regained rhythm with a fluent 61 in Adelaide, forming a crucial century stand with Rohit Sharma. His performances at No. 4 have consistently underlined his importance in the ODI setup.
While his place in T20Is often sparks debate, his value in the 50-over format is undeniable. His exploits in the white-ball format prompted the management to name him the ODI vice-captain ahead of the series Down Under. However, with preparations for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup already underway, Iyer's injury has left the team combination in a state of uncertainty.
