Shreyas Iyer ruled out of remainder of 2025?:Former IPL physio says ‘laceration of spleen’ takes minimum two months to heal

India’s ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer is currently recovering from a serious injury he sustained during the third ODI against Australia in Sydney. What was initially believed to be a minor niggle has turned out to be a laceration of the spleen, with Iyer requiring ICU treatment at a Sydney hospital. Speaking exclusively to Bhaskar English, former IPL physio Saif Naqvi, who has previously worked Iyer at Delhi Capitals and has experience of working as a physiotherapist with teams like Gujarat Titans, explained that such injuries usually take two to two and a half months to heal fully. “A laceration is any injury that leads to internal bleeding and an open wound. It usually occurs in contact sports like football, rugby, or hockey,” Naqvi said. “In Shreyas’s case, his rib punctured and caused an open wound in the spleen. Since the spleen stores white blood cells and red blood cells, any internal bleeding can cause trauma and a sudden drop in vitals.” Iyer cannot run or exercise for now: Dr Naqvi Naqvi added that Iyer will need to avoid high-intensity exercises or anything that causes heavy breathing for now. “He cannot run or hyperventilate because that can affect the spleen’s capacity to heal. Ideally, a full recovery takes about two to two and a half months. Fans should not expect him to rush back before January,” he said. Why could this injury be a major blow for Iyer? If Iyer is indeed ruled out for the remaining two months or more, it could be a massive blow for him. While he was already ignored for India’s Asia Cup squad, he was overlooked for a place in the Indian team for the Australia T20Is. If he is not available for selection, it means Iyer will be South Africa series and might even be touch go for the New Zealand series. With the T20 World Cup scheduled in February March, Iyer might not be able to make it to the team for that ICC event happening at home. BCCI had issued two medical updates The BCCI had earlier issued two official updates confirming Iyer’s condition. “Scans have revealed a laceration injury to the spleen. He is under treatment, medically stable, and recovering well,” the first statement said, adding that the board’s medical team was monitoring his progress in consultation with specialists in Sydney and India. In a follow-up release, the board confirmed internal bleeding due to a blunt abdominal injury, but also noted encouraging signs of improvement: “The bleeding was immediately arrested. A repeat scan has shown significant improvement, and Shreyas is on the road to recovery.” While the injury has temporarily halted his on-field presence, both the BCCI and medical experts remain confident that Shreyas Iyer will make a full recovery and return with full vigour early next year.