Shreyas Iyer returns in style with 82(53) — breaking down why his presence at No. 4 remains crucial for team India balance.
Shreyas Iyer marked a remarkable return to competitive cricket on January 6, 2026, smashing a brilliant 82 off 53 balls for Mumbai against Himachal Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. Notably, this was his first match back after a serious injury layoff.
His innings was aggressive and authoritative, featuring ten fours and three sixes, and came at a crucial juncture when Mumbai were in trouble early in their innings. Shreyas’ knock built partnerships and guided his side to a solid total in a shortened match, signalling that the middle-order mainstay is very much back in business.
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Setback, recovery & statement return
Shreyas’ path back to competitive cricket has been far from smooth. In October 2025, during the third ODI against Australia in Sydney, he suffered a lacerated spleen while attempting a tumbling catch, an injury serious enough to require hospitalisation and time in intensive care before a gradual rehabilitation process began.
The setback forced him to miss key India assignments, ruling him out of the Australia series and the home ODI series against South Africa. At one stage, his comeback was further delayed by physical challenges such as rapid weight loss, which slowed his readiness for full-fledged competition.
Despite these hurdles, Shreyas worked his way back through carefully monitored fitness protocols, eventually earning clearance to return for Mumbai and securing a place in India’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand, subject to final fitness confirmation.
That comeback found immediate expression in Jaipur, where Shreyas took charge for Mumbai with a commanding 82 off 53 balls in the Vijay Hazare Trophy league stage. Walking in at a testing moment, he forged vital partnerships, first with Musheer Khan and then with Suryakumar Yadav, to stabilise the innings and push Mumbai towards a competitive total. The innings combined control with intent, timing with power.
It was not merely a productive knock. It was a statement of readiness, signalling that Iyer has rediscovered his rhythm, authority and match temperament at a time when India are actively shaping their middle order for the months ahead.
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Why is Shreyas Iyer crucial at No. 4?
The importance of the No. 4 position in India’s ODI batting order cannot be overstated. It is the game’s true pivot, a role that demands adaptability at every stage of the innings.
At times, the batter walks in early to arrest a collapse. On other occasions, the responsibility is to shift gears after the powerplay and set up a strong finish. For years, India searched for stability in this slot. In Shreyas Iyer, they have finally found it.
From a statistical standpoint, his impact at No. 4 is backed by consistency and substance. He has scored 1,893 ODI runs at an average of 51.16, striking at 98.23, elite numbers for a middle-order batter operating in varied match situations. More importantly, Shreyas has shown the ability to convert starts into decisive contributions, with five ODI centuries and 23 half-centuries to his name.
His influence has been equally pronounced on the biggest stages. In ICC tournaments, Shreyas has repeatedly stepped up under pressure, scoring 530 runs in 11 matches at the 2023 World Cup and following it up with 243 runs in the 2025 Champions Trophy. These performances underline his value beyond volume alone. He offers control when the innings needs rebuilding and acceleration when the game demands momentum.
In essence, Iyer does not just occupy the No. 4 position. He defines it. His presence brings balance to India’s batting order, allowing flexibility around him while ensuring composure through the middle overs, a trait few batters manage consistently at the international level.
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Leadership and bigger picture
Beyond his batting, Shreyas Iyer brings leadership value that strengthens India’s ODI structure. His experience captaining in the IPL and domestic cricket has sharpened his tactical awareness and ability to handle pressure, most notably when he led Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 final. That growth is reflected in his elevation as India’s ODI vice-captain, a clear indication of the team management’s trust in his cricketing maturity and decision-making.
Looking ahead to the 2027 ODI World Cup, India’s need for stability and clarity in the middle order becomes even more critical. Iyer’s presence at No. 4 offers balance to a batting line-up blending established names with emerging talent, while his leadership ensures continuity in planning and on-field execution. If fitness holds, he is set to be central to India’s ODI blueprint, contributing not just through runs but as a key voice within the leadership group.
With his return to action underway, Shreyas Iyer is set to lead Mumbai in their final Vijay Hazare Trophy league match on January 8, effectively completing his domestic comeback. Although he has been named in India’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand, his participation remains subject to final fitness clearance, a standard process following a long injury layoff. The three-match series begins on January 11 in Vadodara, and if cleared, Iyer is expected to play a key role as India’s vice-captain, an important step towards re-establishing himself as the side’s first-choice No. 4 and a core leadership figure in the ODI setup.
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