India batter Shreyas Iyer is set to make his return to competitive cricket after suffering a spleen injury in October 2024. The 31-year-old is set to represent Mumbai against Himachal Pradesh in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy match, scheduled at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on January 6.
Iyer has received conditional clearance from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, as reported by ESPNcricinfo. He spent ten days at the COE for the final stages of his rehabilitation. As part of the return-to-play protocol, he participated in a practice game on January 2, where he batted without pain and completed drills without showing any discomfort.
Known for his explosive batting, Shreyas Iyer has a commendable record in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which includes a stunning 50-ball 114 against Karnataka in December 2024. He has frequently been the top scorer for Mumbai in the tournament, leading the team to success with consistent high-impact performances. Last season, he was the highest run-getter for Mumbai, amassing 325 runs in just five matches.
Iyer’s injury occurred during India’s third ODI against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on October 25, 2025. While attempting a catch near the third-man boundary, he lost his balance and landed on his rib cage, which led to internal bleeding and spleen damage. Consequently, he missed the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the home ODI series against Australia.
The ODI squad for India’s upcoming series against New Zealand is set to be announced on Saturday. While there is a provision for selection based on fitness, it remains uncertain if the selectors will choose him for the international challenge or prefer to observe his performance in the domestic circuit first.
In Iyer’s absence, Ruturaj Gaikwad has taken the number four spot and made an impression with his maiden ODI century. Meanwhile, in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, Devdutt Padikkal has also made headlines, scoring four centuries in just five innings, strengthening his case for selection.