India’s ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer has been sidelined from competitive cricket after suffering a serious laceration injury during the final ODI in Sydney. According to a report from Dainik Jagran, his recovery is expected to take much longer than initially hoped, and he may not return before the 2026 IPL season.
A New Chapter with Punjab Kings Put on Hold
Before the injury, Shreyas Iyer had just made a big move from the Kolkata Knight Riders to the Punjab Kings. After leading KKR to an IPL title, he stepped into the captain’s role for Punjab and guided them all the way to only their second IPL final. Beyond his leadership, he was also one of their standout performers with the bat.
Shreyas Iyer took on the role of India’s ODI vice-captain after Shubman Gill was appointed the skipper. His first outing in the new role came during the tour of Australia. Unfortunately, his leadership run was cut short when he picked up the injury while taking a stunning catch to dismiss Alex Carey.
He spent several weeks in a Sydney hospital and was initially expected to be out for around two months.
Shreyas Iyer Likely Out Until IPL 2026
Now, Abhishek Tripathi of Dainik Jagran has reported that Shreyas Iyer might only be fully fit by the time IPL 2026 arrives. This is a heavy blow for the Punjab Kings, as their most reliable batter from last season will have very limited match practice heading into the tournament.
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Ruled Out of South Africa and New Zealand Series
Shreyas Iyer will also miss India’s upcoming assignments, including the ongoing series against South Africa. He had already informed the BCCI that he needed to step away from red-ball cricket due to his back issues and overall ill health.
A UCG Test has been carried out on his injury, and he is set to undergo further scans. If all goes well, he may begin his recovery toward the end of December or early January. This timeline means he will be unavailable for the South Africa white-ball series and the New Zealand home series later in the year.
Who Could Step Into His Role?
Shreyas Iyer has been a vital part of India’s middle order, owning the number 4 spot and piling up important runs since the 2023 World Cup. With his absence, India will have to reconsider their options.
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Rishabh Pant, who is working toward an ODI comeback, is one strong contender. Dhruv Jurel is also in the mix, along with players like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson. All of them will be competing for the opportunity to fill this crucial position.
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