India's ODI vice-captain, Shreyas Iyer, has taken a significant step in his recovery from a serious abdominal injury by resuming batting practice. The middle-order batter, who has been sidelined since October, had his first net session this week and is now headed to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru for further rehabilitation.
Road to Recovery After Spleen Injury
Shreyas Iyer sustained a severe spleen injury during the third and final ODI against Australia in Sydney in October. The impact was serious enough to require hospitalisation. This setback forced the 31-year-old to miss subsequent cricketing action, including the home ODI series against South Africa and domestic tournaments like the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy for his state team, Mumbai.
According to sources, Iyer's return to the nets on Wednesday was conducted strictly as per the guidelines laid out by the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE). "He has resumed batting in the nets as per the CoE guidelines. He will undergo further sessions," a source confirmed. This structured approach is crucial for ensuring a full recovery before he returns to competitive play.
Potential Timeline for Comeback
The progress opens up a touch-and-go chance for Iyer to make a comeback during the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy for Mumbai. A more likely and targeted return, however, could be the three-match home ODI series against New Zealand, which is scheduled to begin on January 11 in Vadodara.
His return would be a major boost for the Indian team's middle order, which has often relied on his stability in the 50-over format. The management will be keenly monitoring his fitness updates from Bengaluru before making any selection decisions.
Jaiswal Joins Mumbai Squad
In related news, India's Test and ODI opener, Yashasvi Jaiswal, is set to bolster the Mumbai team for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The young left-hander will join the squad in Jaipur on December 29. His inclusion adds firepower to Mumbai's campaign in the prestigious domestic one-day tournament.
The coming weeks will be critical for Shreyas Iyer as he intensifies his training at the NCA. Fans and selectors alike will be hoping for a smooth and complete recovery, paving the way for his return to the Indian blues in the new year.
