Indian vice-captain Shreyas Iyer endured a painful setback during the third and final ODI against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The star all-rounder suffered a rib injury while taking a spectacular running catch to dismiss Alex Carey, a pivotal moment that triggered Australia’s middle-order collapse. The incident occurred when Carey, facing Harshit Rana, edged a delivery toward the third man region.
Iyer, stationed at point, sprinted backwards with full focus, executing a textbook catch that drew applause from fans and teammates alike. Unfortunately, the effort left him clutching his left ribs in obvious discomfort. The display of athleticism came at a cost, highlighting the physical demands of modern cricket and the risks fielders face even in seemingly routine plays.
Following the match, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that Iyer has sustained a left rib injury and has been admitted to a hospital in Australia for further evaluation. While the full extent of the injury is yet to be determined, the vice-captain’s status for future fixtures remains uncertain.
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If sidelined, India could face a significant void in leadership and middle-order stability for the upcoming home series against South Africa, especially after Nitish Kumar Reddy was already listed as doubtful for the T20I squad.
UPDATE – Shreyas Iyer sustained an injury to his left rib cage while fielding. He has been taken to the hospital for further evaluation and assessment of his injury.#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/UFffBiGxsF
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 25, 2025
Shreyas Iyer’s injury adds to the challenges for India, which has already seen the retirement and rotation of key players impacting squad balance. Despite this, Virat Kohli continues to reach milestones, recently becoming the second-highest run-scorer in ODI cricket—a testament to his enduring class even as younger leaders like Shreyas are forced to battle injuries.
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As India navigates the concluding stages of the Australia tour, fans and experts alike will monitor Iyer’s recovery closely, given his crucial role both as a middle-order batter and vice-captain, ensuring that the Men in Blue maintain leadership depth ahead of the T20I series and beyond.
