IND vs NZ: Is Shreyas Iyer fit to play in ODI series against New Zealand? New report provides clarity

Shreyas Iyer is undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

India’s ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer is making every effort to be fit for the upcoming series against New Zealand, which begins on January 11. According to a new report by Sports Tak, the right-handed batsman is set to undergo two match-simulation sessions in the first week of January.

Iyer suffered a serious injury while fielding during the third ODI against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground last October. He sustained a spleen injury and internal bleeding after the incident and underwent surgery for the same. Due to the injury, he was ruled out of the field for an indefinite period.

After recovering from his injury, he reported to the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru on December 25 for rehabilitation. It was expected that he would leave the facility on December 30 after receiving clearance from the medical team to return to the field.

However, he was asked to remain at the facility for more time and continue with his rehabilitation process. Due to the injury, he lost around 6 kgs, and was advised to undergo more strength sessions to regain his lost weight.

Shreyas Iyer to undertake two match-simulation sessions at BCCI’s CoE

According to a latest report by Sports Tak, the 31-year-old has completed his high-intensity skills session in batting and fielding. He will undergo two match-simulation sessions on January 2 and 5.

“He has successfully completed four high-intensity skill sessions encompassing both batting and fielding. Based on his current physical status and successful attainment of the prescribed rehabilitation and performance milestones, he is scheduled to undertake two match-simulation sessions on 2nd and 5th January 2026 before getting clearance for the white-ball format,” the report stated.

Earlier, a BCCI official had stated that Iyer had suffered muscle atrophy due to his injury and had not yet regained his full strength.

“There is no problem with his batting but he lost around six kgs after the injury in Australia. While he has regained some weight, there has been a drop in muscle mass which has further affected his optimum strength levels,” said the BCCI official to the Times of India.

“The medical team will not be taking any chances because he is a very important player in the ODI set up and his complete recovery is of utmost importance right now. The selectors and management will be conveyed about his present situation before they meet to pick the team for New Zealand ODIs,” he further added.

Meanwhile, Iyer also missed the previous ODI series against South Africa last month due to his injury. Ruturaj Gaikwad was inducted into the playing XI and took the number four batting slot.

The BCCI will announce the squad for the New Zealand ODIs on January 3. The three-match series will be played from January 11 to 18, with the ODI squad scheduled to assemble in Vadodara on January 7.

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