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Shreyas Iyer is recovering from a life-threatening spleen injury sustained during the ODI series against Australia, with his return to cricket and IPL 2026 still uncertain.

Shreyas Iyer unlikely to return before IPL 2026. (Picture Credit: X/@BCCI)
Shreyas Iyer posted an injury update on social media, with a photo of him riding an exercise bike on Tuesday.
The star Indian batter is recovering after sustaining a life-threatening spleen injury during the ODI series against Australia last month.
What Happened To Shreyas Iyer?
The incident occurred when Iyer dived in the deep to complete a difficult catch, taking a heavy blow to his abdomen. The impact caused a spleen laceration and internal bleeding, leaving him in critical danger. Reports have since revealed that timely intervention by the BCCI medical team was crucial – had they not acted immediately, his condition could have deteriorated rapidly, with the internal haemorrhage posing a potentially fatal risk. Iyer underwent a procedure to stop the bleeding and was discharged after his condition stabilised.
During his recovery, Iyer made a rare public appearance at Punjab Kings all-rounder Shashank Singh’s birthday celebration, where he reunited with PBKS co-owner and actor Preity Zinta, as well as actor Dino Morea. The images shared by Zinta on Instagram not only wished Shashank a happy birthday but also reassured fans that Iyer was in good spirits and recuperating steadily.
Also Read: ‘Shreyas Iyer Recovering Well And…’: PBKS Owner
Iyer, India’s designated ODI vice-captain, was left out of the South Africa series due to the injury and subsequent surgery in Australia. His recovery timeline now appears longer than initially expected, ruling him out for more than a month. His participation in the limited-overs series against New Zealand in January remains uncertain, as his rehabilitation progress will dictate when he can be on the field again.
It may be a setback for Punjab Kings too in the Indian Premier League. Iyer, who led the franchise in IPL 2025, is likely to miss the early matches of the 2026 season. According to reports, a preliminary scan conducted at his residence showed encouraging signs of improvement, but doctors have advised another detailed assessment in two months. Only after that evaluation will a clearer decision be made regarding his return to competitive cricket.
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin… Read More
November 25, 2025, 14:37 IST
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