Shreyas Iyer is all set to make his much-awaited India comeback in the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting on January 11 in Vadodara. The Indian middle-order batter also has bright chances to make his T20I comeback against the Black Caps as well.
Shreyas Iyer survives shocking airport dog scare ahead of his India comeback
Iyer is currently not in India’s T20I plans, but Tilak Varma’s injury could see the Mumbaikar make his T20I comeback against New Zealand as well this month. However, just a couple of days before the first ODI, the right-handed batter faced a strange and shocking moment off the field.
A video from the airport went viral, where a small puppy almost bit his fingers. The incident happened when Iyer tried to be friendly with a fan’s pet as he walked out of the airport. After signing an autograph for his fan, Iyer tried to pat her puppy, but this effort ended up causing a scare.
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Thankfully, the 31-year-old batter has not suffered any injury, surviving the dog bite. The Indian star shrugged off the incident with a smile before walking off towards his car.
Watch the viral video here:
Shreyas Iyer finally gets fitness clearance ahead of IND vs NZ ODIs
Earlier, the Indian cricket team got a big relief ahead of the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, as Shreyas Iyer is finally ready to return to international cricket after a long and scary injury phase. Iyer has now been declared fully match-fit by the medical team at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
The middle-order batter was badly hurt during the third ODI against Australia in October last year while trying to take a diving catch off Alex Carey. Earlier, it looked like a normal fielding effort, but it turned into a medical emergency. After the SCG ODI, scans at a hospital in Sydney showed internal bleeding due to a spleen laceration.
SCG Scare and Recovery
Doctors immediately admitted Iyer to the hospital, where he was kept under close observation. He had to undergo a minor surgical procedure to control the bleeding. Medical experts in Australia stayed in constant touch with the BCCI’s medical team to closely monitor his condition.
Only after his health improved was he allowed to travel back to India, where his recovery continued carefully at the BCCI’s CoE. Despite being named in India’s 15-member squad for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, his place was not confirmed earlier.
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His selection was completely dependent on medical clearance from the Centre of Excellence. Now, the star batter has that clearance, clearing the final hurdle for his comeback.
Iyer’s domestic cricket comeback
Notably, Shreyas Iyer had already made his comeback in domestic cricket before sporting national colors. Iyer led Mumbai in two games and showed good signs with the bat in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26.
He scored a brilliant knock of 82 runs against Himachal Pradesh and followed it up with a steady 45 against Punjab, proving that he is ready to shine on the big stage once again.
