Vijay Hazare Trophy: India batter Shreyas Iyer is set to return to competitive cricket after a three-month absence, taking charge as Mumbai’s captain in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy.
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) confirmed on Monday that Iyer will replace Shardul Thakur, who has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury.
This marks a significant moment for Iyer as he continues his road back to full fitness ahead of India’s upcoming ODI series against New Zealand.
Shreyas Iyer Returns After Serious Injury Scare
Shreyas Iyer will make his much-anticipated comeback when Mumbai face Himachal Pradesh at the Jaipura Vidyalaya Ground in Jaipur on Tuesday, January 6. This will be his first competitive appearance since sustaining a spleen injury during India’s tour of Australia.
The injury turned out to be more serious than initially expected, forcing Iyer to be admitted to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in Sydney, where he underwent a minor medical procedure. His recovery required careful monitoring and an extended rehabilitation period.
Cleared by BCCI Medical Team
The BCCI medical team recently gave Iyer the green light to resume competitive cricket after he spent 10 days at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru during the final phase of his rehabilitation.
As part of the BCCI’s Return to Play (RTP) protocol, Iyer featured in a warm-up match at the Centre of Excellence on January 2, where he reportedly came through without any discomfort.
Confirming his appointment as captain, the MCA stated:
“Shreyas Iyer will take over the leadership responsibilities in place of Shardul Thakur, who has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury and is currently unavailable for selection.”
Mumbai Boosted by Star Players
Mumbai’s squad for the remaining Vijay Hazare Trophy matches has also been strengthened by the presence of Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube, adding significant firepower and balance to the side.
Mumbai are scheduled to play their final league match against Punjab on January 8, and Iyer is expected to feature in that fixture as well as part of his fitness assessment.
Eye on New Zealand ODI Series
Beyond domestic cricket, Shreyas Iyer’s return holds major significance for Team India. He has been named vice-captain of India’s ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against New Zealand, which begins on January 11 in Vadodara.
The squad, selected by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee, includes Iyer subject to final fitness clearance. His performances in the remaining Vijay Hazare Trophy matches will play a crucial role in determining his readiness for international action.
Crucial Phase for Shreyas Iyer
With limited time before the New Zealand series, Iyer will need to demonstrate full match fitness and form in the remaining domestic fixtures before linking up with the Indian team.
As Mumbai chase strong results in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and India prepare for an important ODI assignment, all eyes will be on Shreyas Iyer’s comeback — both as a leader and as a key middle-order batter.
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