Indian cricket star Shreyas Iyer is poised to make a much-awaited return to competitive cricket next week. The middle-order batter will represent Mumbai in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy against Himachal Pradesh, marking his first match since a severe spleen injury sidelined him in October.
The Road to Recovery After a Serious Setback
Iyer's injury occurred during the third and final One Day International against Australia in Sydney. The impact resulted in a spleen laceration and internal bleeding, a serious condition that required hospitalization. Following the incident, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officially released him from international duties in early November to focus solely on rehabilitation.
Since then, the 31-year-old has been diligently working on his recovery at the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. A source from the centre provided a clear update on his progress to PTI, outlining the structured return-to-play protocol.
Structured Comeback: RTP Matches and Fitness Hurdles
The batter has already successfully completed the first step of his return. He played his first 50-over Return to Play (RTP) match on January 2, 2026. His upcoming appearance for Mumbai on January 6th will serve as his second mandated RTP match.
"Shreyas will be playing the Vijay Hazare match as part of his second RTP match before final fitness clearance," the BCCI official stated. This process is crucial; his selection for the upcoming home series against New Zealand is entirely contingent on him successfully completing these matches and receiving full medical clearance from the NCA staff.
Team India's Schedule and Mumbai's Boost
The Indian team is scheduled to play a significant limited-overs series against New Zealand, comprising three ODIs and five T20 Internationals from January 11 to January 31. Iyer's availability for this series remains a key point of interest for the national selectors.
For Mumbai, Iyer's return is a major boost. He is expected to take the field alongside young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who himself returned to action in the Vijay Hazare Trophy on December 31 against Goa. The presence of these two international stars significantly strengthens Mumbai's campaign in the prestigious domestic 50-over tournament.
All eyes will now be on Iyer's performance and, more importantly, his physical response during the match against Himachal Pradesh. A successful outing will pave the way for his much-anticipated return to the Indian dressing room.
