Cricket News / Shreyas Iyer Doubtful for New Zealand ODIs, Rapid Weight Loss Woes Delay His Return
·6 months ago·2 min read
Key Points
- Iyer lost 6 kg due to abdominal injury; muscle mass yet to recover fully.
- BCCI medical team delays RTP clearance, prioritizing complete recovery.
- Expected clearance by January 9, just before New Zealand ODIs and Vijay Hazare knockouts
Bangaluru, Dec 30: India’s ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer has suffered a setback in his comeback bid, with the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) withholding his Return to Play (RTP) clearance.
According to a report, Iyer, originally scheduled to leave the facility on December 30, will now remain under medical supervision for at least another week.
The right-hander has been batting without discomfort, but his abdominal injury sustained in Australia led to rapid weight loss, raising concerns about his overall strength.
Also Read : A Nostalgic Reminiscence at Sports’ Biggest Stories in 2025
Iyer reportedly lost around six kilograms during recovery. Although he has regained some weight, the drop in muscle mass has left his strength levels below the required benchmark.
“There is no problem with his batting, but the loss of muscle mass has affected his optimum strength. The medical team will not take any risks because he is a crucial part of India’s ODI setup. His complete recovery is the priority,” a BCCI official told the media outlet.
Iyer, who is training at the CoE, was scheduled to be there till December 30. The right-hander was then supposed to link-up with the Mumbai Vijay Hazare Trophy squad in Jaipur on January 2. The stylish right-handed batter was initially expected to feature in warm-up matches on January 3 and 6 before the three-match ODI series against New Zealand starting January 11 in Vadodara.
However, the latest update suggests he will only receive clearance by January 9 — just two days before the series opener and three days before the Vijay Hazare Trophy knockouts.
An MCA official tracking developments confirmed: “He was pushing hard to play the New Zealand ODIs and even the Vijay Hazare Trophy league matches. But we’ve now been told he needs more time and will only be available from the knockout stages.”
The delay is a huge blow to India’s preparations, with selectors and team management awaiting clarity before finalizing the squad for the New Zealand series. Given Iyer’s importance in the middle order, the medical team is determined to ensure he returns at full strength rather than rushing back prematurely.
According to a report, Iyer, originally scheduled to leave the facility on December 30, will now remain under medical supervision for at least another week.
The right-hander has been batting without discomfort, but his abdominal injury sustained in Australia led to rapid weight loss, raising concerns about his overall strength.
Also Read : A Nostalgic Reminiscence at Sports’ Biggest Stories in 2025
Iyer reportedly lost around six kilograms during recovery. Although he has regained some weight, the drop in muscle mass has left his strength levels below the required benchmark.
“There is no problem with his batting, but the loss of muscle mass has affected his optimum strength. The medical team will not take any risks because he is a crucial part of India’s ODI setup. His complete recovery is the priority,” a BCCI official told the media outlet.
Iyer, who is training at the CoE, was scheduled to be there till December 30. The right-hander was then supposed to link-up with the Mumbai Vijay Hazare Trophy squad in Jaipur on January 2. The stylish right-handed batter was initially expected to feature in warm-up matches on January 3 and 6 before the three-match ODI series against New Zealand starting January 11 in Vadodara.
However, the latest update suggests he will only receive clearance by January 9 — just two days before the series opener and three days before the Vijay Hazare Trophy knockouts.
An MCA official tracking developments confirmed: “He was pushing hard to play the New Zealand ODIs and even the Vijay Hazare Trophy league matches. But we’ve now been told he needs more time and will only be available from the knockout stages.”
The delay is a huge blow to India’s preparations, with selectors and team management awaiting clarity before finalizing the squad for the New Zealand series. Given Iyer’s importance in the middle order, the medical team is determined to ensure he returns at full strength rather than rushing back prematurely.
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