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Indian cricket fans await return of star batsman Shreyas Iyer Have to wait a little longer. Despite promising signs of recovery in BCCI Center of Excellence (CoE)The 30-year-old middle-order mainstay is expected to miss the upcoming three-match ODI series New Zealandstarting January 11, 2026.
While Ayer has resumed hitting for the Nets, a combination of medical caution and physical benchmarks forced the selection committee to hit the pause button on his international return.
Reasons behind Shreyas Iyer not taking part in New Zealand series
The main reason for Iyer’s exclusion was failure to obtain the mandatory return-to-play (RTP) clearance. According to media reports, while Iyer’s batting appears to be “painless” and smooth, his overall fitness is not yet up to the elite standards required in international cricket. Medical staff were particularly concerned about his ability to play a full 50-over match. High-intensity sports – such as diving, sliding and fast throwing – put a lot of pressure on the abdomen, and he was still recovering from recent surgery.
Notably, the spleen tear and internal bleeding Iyer suffered in October was a life-threatening injury. Subsequent recovery and surgery resulted in severe physical setbacks. He reportedly lost about 6 kilograms during his hospitalization and early recovery. For the BCCI coach, the more pressing issue is the loss of muscle mass, which directly affects his “optimal strength levels”.
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Mumbai’s Vijay Hazare hopes to get hit
To prove his fitness, Iyer was scheduled to play for Mumbai Vijay Hazare Trophy January 3-6. However, without the green light from the CoE, he will miss these crucial competitive matches. As per current plans, he is likely to return only for the knockout stages of the domestic tournament, which begins on January 12, effectively ruling him out of the New Zealand ODIs.
