Shreyas Iyer set to miss South Africa ODIs as recovery from spleen injury continues

Shreyas Iyer is expected to remain out of action for a minimum of two months as fresh medical evaluations highlighting the need for the cricketer to refrain from engaging in high-intensity work. Iyer picked up the injury after awkwardly landing while taking a catch in the third ODI in the series against Australia.

He is set to follow a phased rehabilitation programme and will be closely monitored throughout the recovery span. Speaking of the injury, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had confirmed that he “sustained a blunt injury to his abdomen, resulting in a laceration of his spleen with internal bleeding”. Iyer was then moved to the Intensive Care Unit for further observation. 

Ever since, he has been under constant medical monitoring since returning to India. He underwent an ultrasonography scan earlier in the week, as per India Today. The results were analysed by prominent sports medicine specialist Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala. 

The 30-year-old has been allowe to return to normal day-to-day activities and get started with simple isometric routines. However, he has been strictly advised to avoid any activity that could put strain on his abdomen for at least a month. A scheduled USG scan will help guide the initiation of a structured rehabilitation plan at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

According to the current recovery window, Iyer will miss at least two to three months of cricketing action, which means he is seto to miss the ODIs against South Africa and New Zealand at home. His return to the team for fixtures after these series will rely on his rehabilitation progress.

Speaking of his last international game with the bat, he scored 61 off 77 in a losing cause in the second match in Adelaide. India lost the 50-over series by a 2-1 margin signing off with a victory in Sydney. However, they emerged victorious in the T20I series by a 2-1 margin.

Iyer, who had taken Punjab Kings to the final of IPL 2025, was recently retained by the franchise ahead of the auction for next year’s season.