Injury concern for India: Shreyas Iyer doubtful for South Africa ODIs — here are the top players who could replace him.
India’s ODI vice-captain, Shreyas Iyer, has returned to India as his recovery from the abdomen injury is underway. Despite the positive signs, Iyer is unlikely to feature in the upcoming three-match ODI home series against South Africa, starting on November 30 in Ranchi. He continues to recover from the serious on-field injury that he sustained during the third ODI in Sydney against Australia.
The Mumbai batter suffered the injury while taking a diving catch to dismiss Alex Carey. He fell on the ground awkwardly and looked in a lot of pain before being rushed to the hospital. The Indian Express reported that Iyer would need more time to return to international cricket.
Shreyas Iyer’s oxygen level drops to 50; unlikely to feature for South Africa series
The latest update from the BCCI claimed that Iyer’s blunt injury to his abdomen resulted in laceration of his spleen with internal bleeding. The bleeding was immediately arrested following a minor procedure.
Meanwhile, the latest reports stated that Iyer’s condition was more severe than initially thought, with his oxygen level dropping to 50 at one point. The selection committee has been informed about the experienced campaigner’s status.
“He will take more time to be fully match fit, and the board and selection committee don’t want to rush (his inclusion) after the injury. He is doubtful for the South Africa ODI series,” a BCCI source confirmed, as quoted by the Indian Express.
The BCCI, in an earlier press release, extended its heartfelt message to Dr. Kouroush Haghigi and his team in Sydney, along with Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala in India. Later, Iyer posted a message on his social media account.
“I’m currently in the recovery process and getting better every passing day. I’m deeply grateful to see all the kind wishes and support I’ve received- it truly means a lot. Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts.”
He played two innings in the Australia trip and managed 11 and 68 in Perth and Adelaide, respectively. Now, he has overall recorded 2917 runs in 67 innings at an average of 47.81 and a strike rate of 99.01 in ODIs. Iyer has also scored five centuries and 23 half-centuries, with the best score of 128*.
It has been a while since the right-handed batter’s injuries impacted his career. The middle-order batter earlier wrote to the BCCI that he would be taking a ‘break from red-ball cricket’ for some time due to stiffness and fatigue issues in his back.
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Tilak Varma/Riyan Parag expected to replace Shreyas Iyer in ODI squad vs South Africa
In Iyer’s absence, the BCCI has a golden opportunity to give youngsters a chance to feature at number four. For the home South Africa series, the main requirement for the number four batter would be to play spin in a strong manner.
Tilak Varma could be a suitable option, having already played four ODIs two years back. The left-handed batter has earned decent success in List-A cricket with 1645 runs in 40 innings at an average of 45.69. Varma has registered five centuries and 10 half-centuries, with the best score of 156*.
During the second unofficial ODI against Australia A in Kanpur recently, Varma walked into the middle in the second over. The hosts lost two more wickets in the next four overs and were reduced to 17/3 in the sixth over. But Varma stayed there till the end for his 94 runs in 122 balls with the help of five boundaries and four sixes. India A recovered to 246 in their allotted 50 overs.
Varma, being a left-handed batter, will bring a different dimension to India’s right-handed batters’ dominated line-up. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will open the batting, followed by Virat Kohli at number 3 and KL Rahul at number 5. Southpaw Varma could be sandwiched among those four right-handed batters in the top five.
Riyan Parag is another option at number four to replace Iyer. In the opening unofficial 50-over clash against Australia A, Parag collected 67 runs in 42 balls at a strike rate of 159.52. He followed it up with two more half-centuries and collected 187 runs across three innings.
Parag can also provide two to three overs with the ball in the middle overs. That will be really helpful for the Shubman Gill-led side.
The Blue Brigade can take a different route if they don’t want to bring an extra batter in the squad. They can simply use three all-rounders – Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, and Axar Patel – in the eleven. Even Ravindra Jadeja, who missed the previous series down under, could come into the squad during the ODI series against the Proteas.
In this mode, the Champions Trophy 2025 winners can have several bowling options and batting till number eight. This will inject an incredible balance in the eleven for the 50-over clashes.
The opening clash of the three-match home ODI series against South Africa begins on November 30 at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. The focus will later shift to the second and third encounter on December 3 and 6 in Raipur and Visakhapatnam, respectively.
UPDATE – Shreyas Iyer sustained an injury to his left rib cage while fielding. He has been taken to the hospital for further evaluation and assessment of his injury.#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/UFffBiGxsF
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 25, 2025
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