IND vs NZ: Shreyas Iyer all set to play New Zealand ODIs, to make return through VHT 2025-26 for Mumbai on THIS date

Shreyas Iyer is set for crucial comeback in New Zealand series following spleen injury which he faced in Australia.

Indian cricket fans got some great news today. Reports in Times of India confirm that Shreyas Iyer is returning to the Indian Cricket Team‘s squad for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. The reports claimed that the batter will make a return through Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025-26 for Mumbai and will be heading to Jaipur soon.

He will play for Mumbai in the tournament to get some match practice before stepping back onto the international stage. The right-hander will then link-up with the Mumbai Vijay Hazare Trophy squad in Jaipur on January 2 and is expected to feature in the matches on January 3 and 6 before joining the Men in Blue for the three-match series starting in Vadodara on January 11.

Iyer is currently at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Centre of Excellence until December 30. He must stay there until the medical staff issues his formal Return to Play (RTP) certificate. Consequently, this domestic run acts as a final fitness test. It is his chance to show he is ready for the pressure of top-level cricket again.

He is very likely to play two games for Mumbai on January 3 and January 6 – MCA official on Shreyas Iyer

The development related to Shreyas Iyer’s comeback in the VHT 2025-26 was confirmed by a MCA official, who stated:

“We are hearing positive developments around Shreyas. He is very likely to play two games for Mumbai on January 3 and January 6. The final schedule will depend on clearance from CoE but signs are positive for playing those games in Jaipur. He is batting well in the nets and no discomfort,” MCA told TOI

This comeback follows a tough stretch for the batter. He picked up a painful injury during the recent tour of Australia. Fans saw it happen in real-time during that intense series; the injury kept him off the field for a frustratingly long time.

So, he had to sit out several big matches. While he was away, the medical team kept a close eye on his recovery to prevent any lasting damage.

The process took a lot of patience, but Iyer stuck to his rehab plan at the Centre of Excellence. He has worked hard to get his full range of motion back. Now, he is on the verge of full match fitness, and the doctors have finally given him the green light to play.

His return is a huge deal for the team’s setup. The coaches and management see him as a key part of the Indian middle order. The selectors even made him vice-captain a while back, which shows how much they trust his leadership on the field.

On top of that, the team really needs someone who can steady the ship in the middle overs while still scoring quickly against spin. With major tournaments coming up, the team needs their usual number four at 100% to keep the batting lineup solid.

So, everyone will be watching his performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. It will show if Iyer is truly ready for the high-stakes international games ahead. Fans can’t wait to see their star batter taking on bowlers again and reclaiming his spot in the XI.

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