It was a consolation win for the Men in Blue in the 3rd ODI, reducing the series margin to 2–1. The victory came courtesy of stellar performances from the veteran duo Rohit Sharma (121)* and Virat Kohli (74)*, who guided India home with 69 balls to spare and nine wickets in hand. The efforts of the underrated pacer Harshit Rana (4/39) also deserve special mention, as he set the tone early with his disciplined spell.

Unfortunate Accident to Iyer

However, amid the celebrations, an unfortunate incident marred the evening. During the 34th over of Australia’s innings, Shreyas Iyer, fielding at backward point, sprinted to short third man to take an excellent catch, dismissing Alex Carey off Harshit Rana’s bowling. Though the catch was brilliant, Iyer landed awkwardly on his left rib, injuring himself in the process. Despite immediate on-field treatment, he was unable to continue and had to leave the field.

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

Two days later, the BCCI released a medical update on the 30-year-old Mumbai batter, confirming that he is currently under observation in the ICU of a private hospital in Sydney. The headline “Shreyas Iyer in ICU” sent shockwaves across the cricketing world, leaving fans and teammates deeply concerned. Prayers have been pouring in from all corners, wishing the talented right-hander a speedy and full recovery. BCCI Medical Team is closely monitoring Shreyas Iyer’s Accident.

Related Article：Shreyas Iyer’s Central Contract Faces Downgrade After Mysterious Withdrawal

How a Superb Catch Turned Into an Unusual Injury?

The game was evenly poised during the 3rd ODI between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). India was desperately searching for a breakthrough. Captain Shubman Gill turned to young Delhi pacer Harshit Rana to bowl the 34th over. The move paid off instantly. Rana dismissed Alex Carey for 24, providing India with a much-needed opening.

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

However, the wicket was not just about Rana’s delivery — it was equally about Shreyas Iyer’s sheer brilliance in the field. Stationed at the backward point, Iyer sprinted full tilt toward the short third man and completed a stunning diving catch, turning a near-impossible chance into a moment of magic. Iyer landed awkwardly on his left rib while completing the catch, and the impact left him in visible pain. Despite receiving immediate medical attention on the field, he was forced to walk off and was later admitted to the hospital for further evaluation. The mixed feelings on the field got Shreyas Iyer in ICU.

🚨 SHREYAS IYER IS IN ICU AT THE MOMENT OF A SYDNEY HOSPITAL 🚨 (Sahil Malhotra/TOI).

– Wishing Shreyas a speedy recovery, May God make him well soon! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/2GB7BrvY3p

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) October 27, 2025

Fortunately for India, the top order, led by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, ensured a comfortable chase, meaning Iyer wasn’t required to bat. After a day of speculation, the BCCI released an official medical statement regarding Iyer’s condition:

“Shreyas Iyer sustained an impact injury to his left lower rib cage region while fielding during the third ODI against Australia in Sydney on 25th October 2025. He was taken to the hospital for further evaluation. Scans have revealed a laceration injury to the spleen. He is under treatment, medically stable, and recovering well. The BCCI Medical Team, in consultation with specialists in Sydney and India, is closely monitoring his injury status. The Indian Team Doctor will remain in Sydney with Shreyas to evaluate his day-to-day progress.”

Social media was soon flooded with prayers and well-wishes for speedy recovery on Shreyas Iyer’s Accident.

How Serious Are Rib Injuries for a Cricketer?

A spleen laceration refers to a tear in the spleen, usually caused by blunt abdominal trauma — often seen in accidents, falls, or awkward landings during athletic activity. It is considered a serious medical condition, as it can lead to internal bleeding. In severe cases, surgical intervention may be required to repair or remove the damaged spleen.

🚨 MEDICAL UPDATE FROM BCCI ON SHREYAS IYER 🚨

Scans have revealed a laceration injury to the spleen. He is under treatment, medically stable, and recovering well. The BCCI Medical Team, in consultation with specialists in Sydney and India, is closely monitoring his injury… pic.twitter.com/uaNDFTK3T3

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) October 27, 2025

In contrast, muscle strains or bruised ribs are relatively minor injuries, with most athletes able to recover within a few weeks through rest and physical therapy. However, fractured ribs or injuries causing internal bleeding are significantly more serious. For a cricketer, any rib-related injury can be highly restrictive. Pain during running, rotating, twisting, or even breathing can severely limit performance affecting all aspects of the game, including batting, bowling, fielding, and running between the wickets.

How Long Will Shreyas Iyer Be Out of Cricket?

A serious rib injury, such as the one sustained by Shreyas Iyer, typically requires a minimum of three months for full recovery. The duration could extend further depending on how well his body responds to treatment and rehabilitation. As Iyer currently features primarily in India’s ODI setup, his immediate return to action appears unlikely. With the next ODI series of India against South Africa beginning on November 30 in Ranchi, there’s insufficient time for him to recover fully, ruling him out of the series altogether.

SURYAKUMAR YADAV ON SHREYAS IYER:

“He’s recovering well, replying to us on phone that means he is doing absolutely fine. It is unfortunate what happened but the doctors are taking care of him. He’ll be monitored for the next few days but nothing to be worried about. [RevSportz] pic.twitter.com/B6WkrebbV5

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 28, 2025

An unusual Shreyas Iyer’s accident now opens the door for a fringe player like Dhruv Jurel to step into the squad, or perhaps for Rishabh Pant, who has recently recovered from a foot injury, to make his return to the playing XI. It’s sad that Shreyas Iyer, who was recently appointed as the Vice-captain of the format, won’t be available for the next ODI series of India. The news of “Shreyas Iyer in ICU” after the third ODI came as a shock to fans and teammates alike. Thankfully, the latest reports confirm that he is now out of the ICU, bringing much-needed relief to his family, friends, and supporters.