Shreyas Iyer is set to play in the ODI series against New Zealand beginning on January 11 after receiving complete clearance from the BCCI’s CoE. Shreyas, who had been sidelined for three months due to a spleen injury, was added to the squad pending medical clearance. Before returning to the side, the 31-year-old had surgery and rehabilitation.
Shreyas played for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in an attempt to demonstrate his fitness. In his first match, which took place in Jaipur on January 6, he captained the team and hit a fluent 82 off just 53 balls. The 31-year-old passed the test with flying colors since he was at ease batting and fielding for extended periods of time. Before joining the Indian team in Baroda, he will play for Mumbai against Punjab in the final league stage on Thursday.
Batting first, Shreyas Iyer top-scored for Mumbai, forging key partnerships with Musheer Khan and Suryakumar Yadav to lift the total to 299. Mumbai then held their nerve to clinch a tense seven-run victory. Iyer’s knock, studded with 10 fours and three sixes, came at a striking strike rate of 154.72.
Shreyas Iyer did what was necessary—prove his fitness—despite missing out on a century. Despite a setback in his recuperation, the 31-year-old was eventually included in the ODI team for the New Zealand series.
While taking a catch during the September ODI against Australia in Sydney, Shreyas ruptured his spleen. The 31-year-old had to be taken to the hospital immediately after the injury caused internal bleeding. After a short hospital stay, Shreyas was told to take it easy before he could start exercising again. In just a few weeks, he dropped up to 6 kg, which decreased his muscular mass and caused him to make a comeback a week later.
Shreyas is now expected to return to his position as India’s vice-captain and move back into the middle order.
