Shreyas Iyer has given Team India a major boost by resuming light training after his serious spleen laceration during the third ODI against Australia on October 25. The middle-order batter, who spent time in ICU following surgery to stop internal bleeding, shared an Instagram story of himself on an exercise bike, marking his first public update since the injury.

The Sydney Nightmare Revisited

Iyer collided awkwardly while diving for a catch in Sydney, landing heavily on his left side. Initial scans revealed a spleen laceration with internal bleeding, leading to immediate hospitalisation and a minor surgical procedure. BCCI medical staff, including Dr Rizwan Khan, monitored him closely alongside Australian specialists Dr Kouroush Haghigi and India’s Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala.

Discharged earlier in November, Iyer stayed in Sydney for follow-up checks before returning home to Mumbai. Under Dr Pardiwala’s supervision, he has progressed steadily, recently reassuring fans: “Getting better every passing day.”

Cautious Two-Month Timeline

Medical experts typically recommend a minimum two-month layoff for spleen injuries due to the organ’s critical role in blood filtration and immune function. Hidden risks like re-bleeding or reduced immunity make rushed returns dangerous.

Iyer will miss India’s white-ball series against South Africa starting November 30—three ODIs and five T20Is. His likely return target is the home five-match T20I series against New Zealand in January 2026, potentially followed by IPL 2026 preparation.

Leadership Role On Hold

Appointed ODI vice-captain to Shubman Gill ahead of the Australia tour, Iyer’s injury disrupted India’s transition plans post-Rohit Sharma’s ODI captaincy retirement. With Gill now leading and Rohit opening, Iyer’s absence creates a middle-order and leadership vacuum.

His return timeline aligns with India’s busy white-ball calendar, including Champions Trophy preparation and IPL, where he captains Punjab Kings.

Instagram Update Sparks Hope

Iyer’s exercise bike video—captioned simply with a thumbs-up emoji—signals the green light for structured rehab. Regular monitoring by Dr Pardiwala will dictate progression to batting and fielding drills.

Fans and selectors breathed a sigh of relief, with the BCCI yet to issue an official medical bulletin. Iyer’s successful recovery would bolster India’s fragile middle order ahead of a packed 2026 schedule.