ShreyasIyer won’t return for ODIs vs New Zealand after rapid weight loss

The cricketer had suffered a spleen laceration while attempting to take a diving catch during an India vs Australia ODI in October 2025.

In October this year, during the India vs Australia ODI, cricketer ShreyasIyer attempted to take a diving catch, which caused a spleen laceration. Reports suggest that after undergoing a procedure, he has lost significant weight, making it unlikely he will be part of the upcoming ODIs vs New Zealand.

ShreyasIyer has not regained the strength to be on the field.

The 3-match ODI series against New Zealand starts on January 11, 2026. However, since ShreyasIyer has experienced rapid weight loss, he hasn’t received confirmation from the BCCI. He can bat, but has not regained the strength to be on the field. As per a TOI report, Iyer has rapidly lost around 6 kg due to the injury, as muscle mass has dropped. On Sunday, media reports claimed that if Shreyas’s recovery goes as planned, he is likely to play two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches for Mumbai on January 3 and 6, before joining the Indian team in Vadodara ahead of the 3-match ODI series against the Kiwis.

BCCI on whether ShreyasIyer will play the series.

However, a BCCI source told a leading portal that Shreyas’s participation in the three-match ODI series and the Vijay Hazare Trophy games will depend on whether the batter can cope with the physical rigours of a 50-over game following abdominal surgery. The source said, “ShreyasIyer has started skill training this week. He is in good shape. But we will have to assess his ability to field in a 50-over game before putting him back in the park. Depending on how he pulls up, his participation in the Vijay Hazare will be decided.”