Shreyas Iyer, India’s ODI vice-captain, finds himself in an unexpected and prolonged battle with injury after suffering a serious blow while fielding during the third India–Australia ODI in Sydney last month. The Mumbai-born right-hander has been out of action since the incident and, according to recent developments, is set for a significantly extended layoff.
His absence from the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa, beginning November 30 in Ranchi, now appears certain—and the timeline ahead looks even more concerning for Indian cricket fans. A report from Dainik Jagran suggests that Iyer is unlikely to return before IPL 2026, ruling him out of multiple marquee assignments.
This includes the ODI series against South Africa (November–December 2025), the New Zealand tour (January 2026), and the high-profile T20 World Cup scheduled for February–March 2026. There are also doubts about his availability for the opening phase of IPL 2026.
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Shreyas Iyer, who was briefly hospitalised in Sydney after the injury, has since returned to Mumbai and is currently following a carefully structured rehabilitation program. As per the report, he recently underwent an ultrasonography test, with the results reviewed by renowned sports physician Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala.
This is not good news!https://t.co/wxYKdLtw5v
— CrickIt (@CrickitbyHT) November 22, 2025
While the scans show encouraging signs of recovery, the medical team has strictly advised Iyer to avoid any activity that exerts pressure on his abdominal region. He remains restricted from performing exercises that could aggravate the injury.
Another USG scan is scheduled in a couple of months, after which the medical staff will determine whether he can join the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru to continue the next phase of his rehab. Realistically, Iyer’s earliest possible return to the Indian team appears to be during the white-ball series against Afghanistan in June 2026.
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The prolonged absence is a major setback for India. Iyer has been a crucial pillar in the ODI setup—scoring over 500 runs at the 2023 ODI World Cup and finishing as India’s leading run-getter in the 2025 Champions Trophy. In the IPL, he remains a vital asset for Punjab Kings, who signed him for ₹26.75 crore in the 2025 mega auction and entrusted him with the captaincy. Iyer repaid that faith by scoring over 600 runs and guiding PBKS to the final in his debut season.
