Shreyas Iyer ruled out for minimum of three weeks after nasty fall during Sydney ODI

AUS vs IND 2025, 3rd ODI: Shreyas Iyer (Source: Ayush Kumar/Getty Images)

Shreyas Iyeris ruled out of action for a minimum of three weeks after sustaining a rib cage injury while executing a stunning catch to dismiss Alex Carey during the third ODI against Australia. He had to be taken off the field by the team physio Kamlesh Jain. Iyer looked in considerable pain while hobbling off.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had announced in a press release that the Indian ODI vice-captain had been taken to the hospital for further evaluation and assessment of the injury. The incident occurred in 34th over when Iyer tracked back from backward point to leap full stretch to hang onto a skier off Carey's bat.

A source close to the development updated the media on Iyer's situation, mentioning the condition to be a "jerk" as per initial diagnosis. He also said that Iyer could potentially be in a race against time as far as his participation in the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa is concerned.

"Shreyas was taken to the hospital for scans during the match itself. As per initial diagnosis, there has been a jerk and he will have to be out of action for minimum three weeks. He will have to report to the Centre of Excellence on his return. Further reports are awaited before one can conclude if he will require more time for recovery. If it is a hairline fracture, then it might take longer. It is too early to say. If it is three weeks before RTP (Return To Play), then there is a chance that it could be touch-and-go before November 30 (start date of the ODIs against South Africa)," stated the source, as quoted by India Today.

Speaking of Iyer's series, he scored 11 and 61 in the first and second ODI, respectively. Having played 73 ODIs, Iyer is 83 runs away from the 3000-run mark. For the unversed, Iyer last played a T20I and Test for India in December 2023 and February 2024, respectively.

The Men in Blue won the dead rubber at the Sydney Cricket Ground by nine wickets with nine wickets and 69 balls to spare. Rohit Sharma was adjudged both the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards for his contributions. India will now take on the hosts in a five-match T20I series which is scheduled to commence on Wednesday, October 29.