EXCLUSIVE: Good news for Team India as star player declared fit ahead of ODI series vs New Zealand

Team India can be in for a big boost coming into the three-match ODI series against New Zealand that will begin from January 11. Sports Tak has learned that Shreyas Iyer has been declared fit for the assignment and has got the clearance from BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) to play the Men in Blue's upcoming games.

Iyer's stellar return

Iyer was seen in action during Mumbai's latest fixtire in the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Himachal Pradesh. He played a sensational knock of 82 runs and proved to be pivotal in the side's narrow 7-run victory. Despite being out of action since October, Iyer looked to be in great touch on his return and ended up playing a superb knock right away.

Previously, the 31-year-old had been out of action for a little over two months after sustaining an injury to his rib cage during India's third and final ODI of the series against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). He hads even been admitted to the hospital at one stage due to excessive bleeding and  though he was discharged soon, he still had to undergo a lengthy rehabilitation process.

Iyer showed drastic improvement in his fitness

BCCI had later confirmed that Iyer had suffered a lacertation of the spleen. He had reported to the CoE on December 25, 2025 and had showed significant improvement in his fitness. He successfullv completed four high-intensity skill sessions encompassing both batting and fielding. He was then scheduled to undertake two match simulation sessions before obtaining clearance for the New Zealand ODIs.

ALSO READ: Devdutt Padikkal breaks silence on being snubbed for NZ ODIs despite record-breaking VHT campaign

Iyer looked fit enough to make his international return during Mumbai's latest Vijay Hazare Trophy clash and has now been granted the clearance to feature in Team India's upcoming ODI assignment. The first match of the series will be played at the Vadodara International Cricket stadium before the action moves to the Niranjan Shah stadium in Rajkot for the second ODI.  The penultimate game will be held on January 18 at the Holkar stadium in Indore.