Shreyas Iyer 'on the road to recovery' after laceration to spleen

India batter Shreyas Iyer remains under observation in a Sydney hospital after being treated for a lacerated spleen. While there is no clear timeline yet for his discharge, Shreyas is in a stable condition.

"Shreyas Iyer sustained a blunt injury to his abdomen, resulting in a laceration of his spleen with internal bleeding on 25th October during the third ODI against Australia," a statement from BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said on Tuesday.

"The injury was promptly identified, and the bleeding was immediately arrested. His condition is now stable, and he continues to be under observation. A repeat scan done on Tuesday, 28th October, has shown significant improvement, and Shreyas is on the road to recovery. The BCCI Medical Team, in consultation with specialists in Sydney and India, will continue to monitor his progress."

The BCCI's previous statement, on Monday, had said Shreyas was "under treatment, medically stable, and recovering well".

Shreyas suffered the injury upon impact after he took a catch running backwards from point to dismiss Alex Carey during India's third ODI against Australia in Sydney. He immediately clutched his rib cage and signalled for medical attention.

Shreyas was taken off the field and did not return for the remainder of Australia's innings. At the time, the BCCI issued a brief statement that said their medical team had taken him to the hospital for "further evaluation and assessment". As things stand, it's unclear as to when Shreyas can return to play.

A member of BCCI's medical team remains in Sydney with Shreyas, even as the other ODI specialists left Australia on Sunday. Those part of the T20I squad have departed for Canberra, where India had their first training session on Monday.

"Just by looking from the outside, when he held the catch, we felt that it was normal," Suryakumar said about Shreyas ahead of the first T20I. "Those who were there told us that after going inside [the dressing room], it felt that he needed careful attention. Then he was rushed to the specialist, and then they told that he's suffered this injury.

"Only when he started talking normally then it felt like he is getting a little better now. The doctors and physios said that it was unfortunate and very rare. This almost never happens. But Shreyas is also a rare talent. But it's okay, God has supported him, he is recovering really well, doctors are supporting him. He will recover soon, and then we will take him home with us."

India won the third ODI by nine wickets, but lost the three-match series 2-1 after going down in the first two games in Perth and Adelaide.

The five-match T20I series gets underway on October 29 in Canberra, followed by matches in Melbourne and Hobart. Shreyas isn't part of the T20I squad. India next play an ODI series against South Africa, which begins on November 30 in Ranchi.

smallOctober 28, GMT 1345 The story was updated after the BCCI sent out its second update on Shreyas' condition.