Sydney: Indian cricket vice-captain Shreyas Iyer has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a Sydney hospital following a serious rib cage injury sustained during the third ODI against Australia. The injury, which caused internal bleeding due to a laceration in the spleen, has prompted close medical supervision.
The incident occurred when Iyer took a remarkable catch running backward from backward point to dismiss Alex Carey. While completing the catch, he appeared to hurt his left lower rib cage, and was immediately taken to the dressing room. Upon noticing fluctuations in his vital signs, the BCCI medical team acted swiftly and transported him to the hospital for further evaluation.
In an official statement on Monday, the BCCI said, “Shreyas Iyer sustained an impact injury to his left lower rib cage region. Scans revealed a laceration to the spleen. He is under treatment, medically stable, and recovering well.”
A source close to the development told PTI that the injury “could have been fatal” and confirmed that Iyer has been in ICU for the past couple of days. The player is expected to remain under observation for two to seven days, depending on his recovery and the risk of infection from internal bleeding.
Originally, Iyer was projected to be sidelined for about three weeks, but medical experts now suggest that his return to competitive cricket may take longer due to the severity of the internal injury.
“The BCCI Medical Team, in consultation with specialists in Sydney and India, is monitoring his condition closely. The Indian team doctor will remain with him in Sydney to track his daily progress,” the statement added.
At 30 years old, Iyer is currently not part of India’s T20 squad, and he is expected to stay in Sydney for at least a week before being cleared to return to India. Sources praised his resilience, noting, “He’s a tough lad and should be fine soon.”
This development comes as a reminder of the physical risks athletes face, even during moments of brilliance on the field. Iyer’s timely medical care is credited with preventing potentially life-threatening complications.
