Shreyas Iyer’s Comeback Delayed Until IPL 2026

India’s ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer is set to miss the upcoming series against South Africa and New Zealand, with medical reports advising him to stay out of high-intensity training for at least three more months following a spleen laceration injury.

November 22, 2025: The comeback trail for star middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer has hit a major roadblock. Fresh medical assessments have confirmed that the injury he sustained during the third ODI against Australia last month is more serious than initially feared, forcing him to remain on the sidelines for a significantly extended period.

Iyer, the ODI vice-captain, suffered a blunt-force abdominal injury leading to a laceration of his spleen and internal bleeding while fielding in Sydney on October 25. While he underwent a minor procedure and has been discharged from the hospital, recent reports indicate a cautious and slow rehabilitation plan.

Out Until IPL 2026?

According to reports, Iyer is strictly advised to avoid any form of high-intensity training that could raise intra-abdominal pressure for at least the next month. This careful approach is essential to ensure the complete healing of his spleen injury.

• Immediate Misses: Iyer is definitively ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa starting November 30 and the subsequent series against New Zealand.
• Recovery Timeline: He is scheduled for another ultrasonography (USG) scan at the two-month mark (late December/early January). Only after this scan will he be cleared to begin structured rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.
• Total Layoff: Given this phased recovery schedule, Iyer is expected to be out of competitive cricket for a minimum of two to three more months.

This timeline strongly suggests that Iyer’s return to the field may not happen until the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, where he is set to captain the Punjab Kings.

The news is a major setback for the Indian team, which was relying on Iyer’s form and experience in the middle order in the buildup to future ICC tournaments. For now, the focus remains squarely on ensuring the safe and complete recovery of the vice-captain.