The India ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer has taken a positive step toward returning to the field ahead of the white-ball series against New Zealand. Shreyas Iyer had his first proper batting session in Mumbai on December 24 since his career-threatening injury on the Australia tour.
However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and National Cricket Academy (NCA) medical team are adopting a cautious approach, as Iyer will undergo 4-6 days of intensive monitoring.
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As reported by the Times of India, Iyer batted for nearly an hour and did not feel any pain or discomfort, which is a big relief for both the batter and the Indian team management.
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After this encouraging session, the right-handed batter is now heading to the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru to continue his recovery and prepare for his much-awaited comeback.
At the moment, there is no fixed timeline for the Mumbaikar’s return to competitive cricket. However, the 31-year-old is keen to get back as soon as possible, and the seasoned batter is pushing to make his comeback in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26.
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A BCCI official was quoted as saying by the Times of India, “Shreyas Iyer had a very unfortunate injury in Australia, and it made him miss a lot of competitive cricket. The good sign is that he is pain-free at the moment and batted without any trouble in Mumbai on Wednesday.
India next plays New Zealand, and while that could still be touch and go, a return in the later stages of the Vijay Hazare Trophy can’t be ruled out at this stage.”
The final decision on Iyer’s return timeline will be taken after detailed check-ups at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. It is being said that the Indian vice-captain will stay in Bengaluru for around four to six days. During this time, the medical and support staff will closely monitor his fitness and workload and give more clarity on his return to the action.
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Shreyas Iyer “won’t be rushed back” to action
Shreyas Iyer’s availability for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand at home remains uncertain for now. The series will get underway on January 11, with the team for the series expected to be announced in the first week of January, most likely around January 2 or 3.
The official further added, “He is already back to regular training in the gym. So no red flags there at the moment, but it all depends on the CoE assessment. He will be there for anywhere between four and six days. Like with every player, he won’t be rushed back, but efforts will be directed towards his speedy return.”
Notably, Iyer has been out of action since October 2025. He last played in the three-match ODI series against Australia, where he suffered a blow to his abdomen. Because of that injury, Iyer missed the entire Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 and also the ODI series against South Africa.
