India batter Shreyas Iyer is reportedly doubtful to feature in the three-match home ODI series against South Africa that is set to commence from November 30. This comes after the 30-year-old had suffered a lacertation injury on his spleen while fielding during the Men in Blue's third and final ODI of the series against Australia. He had even been admitted to the ICU due to internal bleeding and thus, has been out of action since then.
Iyer will take time to recover fully
According to a report by The Indian Express, it will take some time for Iyer to return to full fitness and the BCCI are in no mood to rush his recovery. The selection committee have been informed about Iyer's condition and it is clear that he will need more than a month to return to action. Though India's squad for the South Africa ODI series is yet to be announced, it is expected that Iyer will not be able to make it.
“He will take more time to be fully match fit, and the board and selection committee don’t want to rush after his injury. He is doubtful for the South Africa ODI series," a BCCI source was quoted as saying by Indian Express.
Iyer had been in a great run of form in the one-day format before the injury. After playing a key role in India's triumph of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, he had scored a brilliant half-century in the second ODI against Australia. He could have played a massive role for the Men in Blue in the upcoming series against South Africa, but now is likely to remain on the sidelines.
India to host South Africa next
Meanwhile, India's gruelling assignment against South Africa will consist of two Tests, three ODIs and five T20Is. It will commence with the Test series from November 14. The first match of the series will be held at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata while the second will be played at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati.
India's squad for South Africa Tests: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK) (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep.