For Indian batter Shreyas Iyer, the past few days in Sydney have been about courage, recovery and gratitude. Once celebrated for his calmness under pressure, Shreyas Iyer now finds himself fighting a very different battle, this time, not against a bowling attack, but to recover from a life-threatening injury sustained during the third ODI against Australia.
The incident occurred when Shreyas Iyer ran backwards to take a tough catch of Australian batter Alex Carey. Though he completed the catch successfully, he landed awkwardly and immediately showed signs of severe pain around his lower left rib cage. Despite managing to walk off the field, his condition deteriorated quickly in the dressing room as his vital signs dropped to alarming levels. He was immediately rushed to a Sydney hospital, where doctors admitted him to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for close monitoring.
Tests later revealed a laceration to his spleen, which had also caused internal bleeding. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) soon released an official statement confirming the diagnosis, explaining that Shreyas Iyer had sustained an impact injury to his lower rib area. The board assured that he was under expert medical care and was in stable condition, with the Indian team doctor staying back in Sydney to monitor his recovery.
Reports suggest that Shreyas Iyer’s medical records were shared with Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, head of the ICC Medical Committee, the BCCI Medical Panel and the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Centre for Sports Medicine. According to a leading daily, Dr. Pardiwala praised the on-ground medical staff, acknowledging that their prompt response and accurate diagnosis had saved Shreyas Iyer’s life.
He noted in his communication to the board that the swift action of the medical team was the difference between a minor scare and a tragedy. Their immediate decision to get Shreyas Iyer hospitalised ensured that he received critical care at the right moment.
Now, a few days after the incident, Shreyas Iyer’s condition has improved significantly. He has been moved out of the ICU and continues to recover steadily in the hospital. A BCCI official confirmed that although he remains under observation, doctors are optimistic about his progress and he is expected to be discharged in the coming days.
For Shreyas Iyer, this episode serves as a reminder of how unpredictable the game can be and how the quick thinking of those around him helped turn a dangerous situation into one of hope and relief.
Get well soon, Shreyas Iyer.
