Shreyas escapes dog bite scare ahead of NZ series

• Iyer returns to India squad for New Zealand ODIs after injury.
• Iyer almost bitten by fan's dog at airport on ODI return.
• Iyer scored 82, 45 in Vijay Hazare Trophy; replaces Gaikwad.

New Delhi: Team India vice-captain Shreyas Iyer almost got bitten by a fan’s pet dog at the airport. He recently made a comeback to the Indian squad after

being named for the three-match ODI series againstNew Zealand.

Iyer suffered a spleen injury in the third ODI against Australia in Sydney and was out of action for two months. He also missed the three-match ODI series against South Africa at home, and made a comeback to competitive cricket in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy.

He proved his match fitness in the domestic tournament and is all set to make a comeback in international cricket during the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, which will begin on January 11 in Vadodara. However, Iyer avoided another scare ahead of his much-awaited return as the India vice-captain got bitten by a fan’s pet dog.

In a viral video on social media, Iyer was seen walking out of the airport, where a fan approached him for an autograph. The Indian batter happily signed an autograph, and just a few seconds later, another fan appeared carrying a dog in her hand. Iyer tried to pet it; however, he almost got bitten in the process and walked away with a smile.

Kalesh between Shreyas Iyer & Dogesh bhai 🤯@gharkekalesh pic.twitter.com/KaVM9jZFf5

— Kushal Sharma (@KushalSharma_89) January 10, 2026

Iyer’s sensational return in Vijay Hazare Trophy

Iyer played two matches for Mumbai in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. He led the team and batted at No. 4 against Himachal Pradesh, smashing 82 runs off 53 balls. The Indian middle-order batter showed no signs of discomfort during or after the match.

In the next match against Punjab, he played another good innings, scoring 45 runs off 34 balls. But Mumbai lost the match by just one, chasing 217. Iyer is set to be back in the Indian middle order and resume his role as vice-captain.

During his absence, Ruturaj Gaikwad batted at No. 4, and he scored his maiden ODI hundred in Raipur. However, Iyer’s availability has pushed Gaikwad out of the squad.