Indian vice-captain Shreyas Iyer’s participation in the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa starting November 30 remains under doubt. Post the two Test matches starting November 14, India will play three ODIs at Ranchi, Raipur and Visakhapatnam. The Indian Express understands that Iyer, who returned home from Australia recently, is still recovering from the injury he suffered and needs more time to be fit to play international cricket.
The selection committee has been informed about Iyer’s status and as per medical reports needs nearly more than a month to be match fit.
“He will take more time to be fully match fit and the board and selection committee doesn’t want to rush after his injury. He is doubtful for the South Africa ODI series,” a source in the Indian board confirmed. A source explained that Iyer’s oxygen had dropped to 50 and for ten minutes he wasn’t able to stand properly. There was a complete black out around him and it took him some time to come back to normal.
The Mumbai batsman was discharged from the hospital last week after sustaining an injury during the 3rd ODI between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Iyer, while taking a diving catch to dismiss Alex Carey, had injured himself when he fell to the ground. He was admitted to a Sydney hospital for a laceration of the spleen with internal bleeding.
Shreyas Iyer suffered a nasty fall while completing a catch in Sydney. (AP)
“He is now stable and recovering well. The BCCI Medical Team, along with specialists in Sydney and India, are pleased with his recovery, and he has been discharged from the hospital today,” the BCCI had stated earlier in a press release.
“The BCCI extends its heartfelt gratitude to Dr Kouroush Haghigi and his team in Sydney, along with Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala in India, for ensuring Shreyas received the best treatment for his injury. Shreyas will continue to stay in Sydney for follow-up consultations and will return to India once he is deemed fit to fly,” the note further added.
Later, Iyer also put out a message on his social media handles. “I’m currently in the recovery process and getting better every passing day. I’m deeply grateful to see all the kind wishes and support I’ve received- it truly means a lot. Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts,” Iyer posted.
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The 30-year-old played two innings on the tour, scoring 11 and 68 in Perth and Adelaide, respectively in the ODI series. Iyer’s career has been marred by injuries for quite some time now.
The Indian middle-order batsman had earlier written to the BCCI that he will be taking a ‘break from red ball cricket’ for some time due to stiffness and fatigue issues in his back. The board had accepted his request.
