Iyer’s catch leads to serious Rib injury

In a shocking development for Indian cricket fans, ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in Sydney after suffering internal bleeding due to a spleen injury sustained during the third ODI against Australia. The 30-year-old cricketer, known for his athleticism and composure on the field, is currently under close medical supervision but is said to be in a stable condition.

The incident occurred when Iyer dove backward to take a spectacular catch at backward point to dismiss Alex Carey. However, he landed awkwardly on his left rib cage, immediately wincing in pain. Moments later, after returning to the dressing room, Iyer reportedly fainted, prompting the team’s medical staff to rush him to a nearby hospital. Scans later confirmed that he had suffered a laceration to his spleen, leading to internal bleeding.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) issued an official statement confirming the details.

“Shreyas Iyer sustained an impact injury to his left lower rib cage region. Scans revealed a laceration injury to the spleen. He is under treatment, medically stable, and recovering well,” the BCCI said.

“The BCCI Medical Team, in consultation with specialists in Sydney and India, is closely monitoring his progress. The Indian Team Doctor will stay in Sydney with Shreyas to oversee his recovery.”

According to team sources, Iyer’s condition was critical when his vital parameters dropped alarmingly low, and the swift action by the medical team possibly prevented the situation from worsening.

“He’s been in the ICU for the past couple of days. After internal bleeding was detected, immediate admission was necessary. Thankfully, he’s stable now, but it could have been fatal if delayed,” a source said.

Iyer is expected to remain under observation in Sydney for at least a week, depending on how his body responds to treatment. Medical experts say his recovery timeline could extend beyond the initially estimated three weeks.

“Since internal bleeding was involved, the recovery period will likely be longer. It’s too early to fix a timeline for his return to competitive cricket,” the source added.

Currently, Iyer is not part of India’s T20 squad, allowing him time to focus solely on recovery. The Indian cricket fraternity and fans worldwide have wished him a speedy return, hoping the resilient batter will soon be back in blue.