In a major development, India middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer is set to make his international comeback in the upcoming New Zealand ODI series as the BCCI has given him the fitness clearance. Iyer had been nursing a nasty spleen injury he suffered during the Australia tour last October, which pushed him out of action for over two months.
After making a recovery, Iyer began his rehab at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and recently made an eye-catching competitive return for Mumbai in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. The 31-year-old belted 82 off 53 against Himachal to set the base for a close seven-run win in Jaipur.
Iyer had already been picked in India’s ODI squad for the upcoming New Zealand series at home but with a fitness clause.
Now, according to multiple reports, he has been given the go-ahead by the COE, paving the way for his India return. The ODI vice-captain is now expected to be part of India’s playing XI for the first ODI against New Zealand slated to be held in Vadodara on January 11.
Iyer had suffered the injury while taking a diving catch during the third and final ODI against Australia on October 25 in Sydney. The cricketer appeared in significant pain after the fielding effort and reportedly fainted inside the dressing room where there was an alarming drop in his vital signs. He was immediately rushed to a local hospital and underwent a minor procedure to stop internal bleeding.
He stayed in Sydney for some time and once deemed fit enough to fly, returned home.
The New Zealand ODIs will also see the return of captain Shubman Gill, who missed the last series against South Africa due to a neck injury. Gill though made his India return in the five-match T20I series that followed the South Africa ODIs.
Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj is also back in the ODI squad.
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