India’s ODI middle order could soon get its familiar backbone back as Shreyas Iyer fights the clock, the pain, and months of uncertainty to make a dramatic return for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand at home later this month.
Shreyas Iyer Faces Final Hurdle in Race for New Zealand ODI Comeback
Shreyas Iyer is in a final race against time to prove his fitness for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. After weeks of intense rehabilitation, India’s ODI vice-captain is finally close to match fitness following a serious abdominal injury that he sustained on the Australia tour in October and has been out of action since then.
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With the national selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, hearing to announce the squad, Iyer is all set to get underway with a crucial fitness test at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) on January 5, holding the key to his selection. Iyer’s return totally depends on the final medical call.
The three-match ODI series between India and New Zealand is all set to begin in Vadodara on January 11, before Rajkot hosts the second game on January 14, with Indore hosting the final ODI on January 18. Well, Iyer has been pushing himself every day at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence to prove that his body is ready again.
If things fall into place, the Mumbaikar will return in India colors in the upcoming New Zealand series after missing the recent home series against South Africa.
The Decisive Timeline: From Iyer’s Grueling Recovery at the NCA to Return to Play
Shreyas Iyer reported to BCCI’s Centre of Excellence on December 25, and since then, he has been undergoing rigorous rehab, including rebuilding his core strength, footwork, and confidence. High-intensity batting drills, sharp fielding sessions, and long hours of conditioning have been part of the Indian middle-order batter’s daily routine.
His recovery from a spleen injury that required hospitalization has been meticulous. On Friday, January 2, Iyer has finally stepped into a full match simulation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE), an important test of how his body responds under game pressure.
Iyer will undergo the final simulation on January 5, which will decide whether he receives the all-important Return to Play clearance. If cleared, Iyer is likely to turn out for Mumbai in their last Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 match in Jaipur on January 8 to fine-tune his game for his India comeback.
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A BCCI source was quoted as saying by the Times of India, “Shreyas Iyer reported to the Centre of Excellence on December 25. Since his arrival, he has shown significant improvement in strength and conditioning and has successfully completed four high-intensity skill sessions encompassing both batting and fielding.
Based on his current physical status and achievement of rehabilitation milestones, he undertook a match-simulation session on January 2 and will undertake another on January 5 before obtaining clearance for white-ball formats.”
Shreyas Iyer Injury Update: Final Fitness Test to Decide NZ ODI Series Comeback
