India’s ODI vice-captain, Shreyas Iyer, has returned home and is currently undergoing rehabilitation. Despite showing encouraging progress, he is expected to miss the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa, beginning on 30 November, as he continues to recover from the severe injury he sustained during the tour of Australia.

Sources told The Indian Express that Iyer’s injury was more serious than first believed, with his oxygen levels dropping to 50 at one stage. “He couldn’t stand properly for almost 10 minutes. He experienced a total blackout, and it took him a while to regain normalcy,” a board insider confirmed.

During the third ODI against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, he injured himself after taking Alex Carey’s catch. He was rushed to the hospital in pain and was discharged only last week after treatment.

“The BCCI confirmed that Shreyas Iyer suffered a blunt abdominal injury while fielding in the third ODI against Australia on 25 October 2025, which caused a spleen laceration and internal bleeding.

“The injury was quickly diagnosed, and the bleeding was controlled through a minor procedure. He has since received the necessary medical care”.

Following his return, Iyer has been monitored by medical staff and will likely need more than a month to be match-ready.

“Neither the board nor the selection panel wants to push him back too soon. He needs additional time to regain full fitness, so his availability for the South Africa series remains uncertain,” one of the officials of the board said.

Following the two-Test series starting November 14, India will face South Africa in three ODIs in Ranchi, Raipur, and Visakhapatnam.