Shreyas Iyer’s comeback timeline has taken a major hit, with the Indian batter now expected to be out for at least two more months due to a serious abdominal injury. The damage he sustained during the ODI series in Australia was far more severe than initially understood, and medical teams are treating the case with maximum caution.
Iyer suffered the injury during the third ODI in Sydney, when an awkward landing while taking a diving catch caused internal trauma. Subsequent scans revealed a laceration to his spleen along with internal bleeding — the kind of injury that can’t be rushed under any circumstances. He underwent a minor procedure abroad to stabilise the situation before being discharged and placed under strict monitoring.
The BCCI’s medical team has described his recovery as “steady,” but that doesn’t change the reality: the next phase of rehabilitation will move slowly. For now, he’s restricted to extremely controlled physical activity. Light isometric exercises are allowed, but anything that could increase pressure on his abdomen — heavy lifting, high-intensity training, or explosive movements — is completely off the table. He is following a carefully phased protocol designed to ensure the spleen heals without complications.
The next major checkpoint in his recovery will be a follow-up scan scheduled roughly two months out. Only after that assessment will the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru decide whether he can begin structured rehab. Even then, the progression will likely be slow, focusing on core stability, gradual conditioning, and eventually batting-specific workload management.
Medical experts have made it clear that spleen injuries are not to be underestimated. A premature return could put him at risk of internal bleeding — a scenario far more serious than a normal sports injury. For that reason, the focus remains entirely on long-term safety rather than any short-term cricketing goals.
From a team perspective, India will feel the absence. Iyer is set to miss the upcoming white-ball fixtures, including the ODI series against South Africa, and his availability for subsequent assignments remains uncertain. India’s middle-order plans — already thin after previous injuries — now require recalibration.
Despite the setback, Iyer has remained positive and grateful for the support he has received, acknowledging that recovery has become his full-time focus. He has called the rehabilitation process “therapy” and appears committed to returning only when fully fit.
The bottom line is simple: this is a serious injury, with a recovery timeline that can’t be negotiated. Iyer will return when his body allows it — not before.
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