IND vs NZ: Major update on Shreyas Iyer's fitness & return timeline

Shreyas Iyer suffered a horrific spleen injury during the third ODI against Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground in October.

Indian Cricket Team vice-captain Shreyas Iyer is highly likely to miss the ODI series against New Zealand Cricket Team, according to a report by the Times of India. The report also revealed that Iyer is likely to get clearance to play competitive cricket only by January 9.

Iyer suffered a deadly spleen injury on October 25 while fielding in the third ODI against Australia, for which he underwent surgery in Sydney. Although he has recovered from the injury and has also commenced batting in the nets, he will need some more time to return to the field.

Earlier, the 30-year-old was expected to play in the ODI series against New Zealand, scheduled to commence on January 11. He was also expected to play for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 on January 3 and 6. He was undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru for the last one week and was expected to check out of the facility on December 30.

However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) medical team has not given a clearance to Iyer to return to the field. Notably, he has lost about six kgs due to the injury, and his muscle mass has not reached the optimum levels. Hence, he will undergo strength training for a few more days.

Shreyas Iyer to spend more time at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence

As a result, he will spend one more week at the BCCI facility and will only get clearance on January 9, two days ahead of the New Zealand series. Moreover, he will now focus on playing in the knockout games of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scheduled to begin on January 12.

“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,” A BCCI official was quoted as saying by TOI.

“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 team for New Zealand ODIs,” the official further added.

Meanwhile, the right-handed batter also missed the previous ODI series against South Africa due to his injury. After the New Zealand series, the focus will shift to the T20I format as the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 set to commence on February 7.

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