SYDNEY, Oct 28 — Indian cricketer Shreyas Iyer has been shifted out of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and is recovering steadily after suffering a spleen injury during the third ODI against Australia last week, officials familiar with the development said Monday.
The injury, initially thought to be a rib issue, was diagnosed as a spleen laceration following scans at a Sydney hospital. Iyer was admitted to the ICU for observation and treatment but has since shown encouraging signs of recovery. His family is expected to join him in Sydney soon, sources told IANS.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that the 30-year-old suffered “an impact injury to his left lower rib cage” during the match on October 25. “Scans have revealed a laceration injury to the spleen. He is under treatment, medically stable, and recovering well,” the BCCI said in a statement.
“The BCCI Medical Team, in consultation with specialists in Sydney and India, is closely monitoring his injury status. The Indian Team doctor will remain in Sydney with Shreyas to evaluate his day-to-day progress,” it added.
The injury occurred during the 33rd over of Australia’s innings at the Sydney Cricket Ground, when Iyer took a diving catch to dismiss Alex Carey off Harshit Rana’s bowling. Carey mistimed the shot, and Iyer sprinted back from backward point to complete a full-stretch catch near deep third man before appearing to clutch his side in pain.
Medical experts say spleen lacerations — tears in the soft, blood-rich organ located under the rib cage — can be potentially serious, often leading to internal bleeding if not treated immediately.
While Iyer remains under observation, both team officials and fans are optimistic about his full recovery and eventual return to the field.
