Shreyas Iyer will miss India’s upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, and with no spot in the T20I squad either, his return may only come in IPL 2026. For a cricketer who has made comebacks his trademark, this is yet another battle to fight through.
Iyer has endured the kind of injury setbacks that would end most careers, a back injury that left his left leg temporarily paralysed, a shoulder issue that threatened his batting flow, yet every time, he returned stronger. A century on Test debut, a sensational run at the 2023 ODI World Cup post-surgery, an IPL title with KKR in 2024, and another near-title with Punjab Kings later, when the pressure is brutal, Iyer responds.
Now, he’s recovering from a spleen laceration, a serious internal injury suffered while diving in the third ODI against Australia. What appeared routine spiralled into a lengthy rehabilitation process, ruling him out for the entire 2025 season. His next ultrasound scan, scheduled for the second week of December, will determine whether he can progress to the next rehabilitation phase. The reports will again be overseen by Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, the same expert behind the recoveries of Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja.
If cleared, Iyer will move to BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru for structured rehab. For now, he is restricted to light movement and basic isometric routines, no stress, no abdominal strain. Cricket drills, strength training, and batting work will begin only after medical approval.
Early projections hinted at a two-month road back, but the injury demands patience. The most realistic return window now aligns with IPL 2026, where Iyer is expected to reclaim Punjab Kings’ captaincy.
In his absence, India are exploring options at No.4, Ruturaj Gaikwad impressed with a maiden ODI hundred in Raipur. However, even head coach Gautam Gambhir has admitted that Iyer walks back into the XI when fit. With no major ODI events upcoming, India have time and they’re willing to wait.
