Mumbai: Much to the relief of millions of Indian cricket fans, Shreyas Iyer is on the road to recovery. On Tuesday, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told TOI that the India batter Shreyas Iyer “recovered faster than what the doctor expected.” The 30-year-old Mumbaikar, who suffered a spleen injury while taking a catch during the third and final ODI against Australia at the SCG last week, is stable and out of the ICU.
While diving forward to complete the catch on the run, he suffered an awkward fall that resulted in a ruptured spleen and necessitated immediate hospitalisation. “Shreyas is much, much, much better. His recovery has been much faster than what the doctor expected. I’m in regular touch with Dr Rizwan (Khan, Indian team doctor who stayed back with Iyer to assist with his treatment at the Sydney hospital). Normally, he should take six to eight weeks (to recover completely), but you can expect a surprise from him because he may recover much earlier,” Saikia told this paper.
“The doctors are very satisfied with his progress. He has started his normal functioning (routine chores). His injury was very severe, but he has recovered and is out of danger, which is why he was shifted from the ICU to his room in the hospital yesterday,” the Board secretary added.
Suryakumar Yadav press conference: On Shreyas Iyer’s injury, his own form and Australia series
Saikia said that Iyer didn’t undergo surgery but “a different procedure.” “Shreyas didn’t undergo a surgery but underwent a different procedure, which is why he recovered so early,” Saikia revealed. The “different procedure,” it is understood, was needed to immediately stop the internal bleeding. “The usual hospital stay for this injury is 7–10 days. So, Iyer is likely to be in the hospital for that long,” a source tracking developments told this paper.
The BCCI is arranging for Shreyas’ sister, Shresta Iyer, to fly to Sydney to join and help him out there soon. “The BCCI has done its best to help Shreyas out. The BCCI’s doctor (Rizwan) is totally focused on Iyer’s treatment and recovery there. Shreyas has been put up in the best hospital in Sydney (St Vincent’s Hospital),” Saikia said.
It is learnt that on Tuesday, Iyer was in fine shape, eating solid food, walking in the Sydney hospital without support, and taking phone calls. Providing an update on his condition, India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, speaking to reporters ahead of the first T20I against Australia, said, “We spoke to him at least on the first day when we got to know that he had an injury. I called him first. Then I found out that he did not have a phone. So I called the physio, Kamlesh. He told me that he is stable. On the first day, I don’t know how, but he was looking good. We have been talking for two days now. He has been replying. If he is replying on the phone, it means he is stable.
“There is also a doctor there, so it is looking good. I mean, he is good. He is talking. Everything is normal. He said that he will take care of himself for a few more days. But he has been replying, talking to everyone, so it is good,” the India T20 skipper, currently in Canberra, said.
In Mumbai, Mumbai captain and India all-rounder Shardul Thakur also revealed to the media that he “spoke to Shreyas.” “He was stable,” said the pacer.
Pratika Rawal to be out of action for four months
Meanwhile, the BCCI secretary revealed that India women’s team opener Pratika Rawal, who picked up a knee injury while trying to save a boundary, will be “out of action for four to six months.”
“Pratika will be out of action for four months. The women’s selection committee has named Shafali Verma as her replacement,” Saikia informed.
The injury to Rawal came just three days ahead of India’s crucial World Cup semifinal clash against Australia. The 25-year-old Delhi batter had hit a fine century against New Zealand and has been the second-highest run-getter for India in the World Cup after her senior opening partner Smriti Mandhana. She has scored 308 runs in six matches at an average of 51.33, including a half-century against Australia and a 134-ball 122 against New Zealand, playing a key role in India’s victories.
The 21-year-old Shafali Verma is an explosive opener who made her ODI debut for India on June 27, 2021, against England in Bristol. Overall, she has played 29 ODIs, scoring 644 runs at an average of 23.00, with four fifties and a highest score of 71 not out.