There was a point not too long ago when Shreyas Iyer wasn’t thinking about IPL trophies or captaincy calls. He was in a hospital bed in Sydney, his body still recovering from a freak on-field injury that could have gone horribly wrong. Today, he walks into IPL 2026 as Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain, fully fit, sharper than ever, and talking about one thing only. Winning the title.
The journey from there to here hasn’t been smooth, obviously. Iyer has seen many ups and downs in his career and the spleen injury in Sydney was one of the hardest lows.
From ICU to leading PBKS: Shreyas Iyer’s road back
The injury itself was as serious as it gets in cricket. During the third ODI against Australia in October 2025, Iyer landed awkwardly while taking a catch and suffered a blunt impact near his rib cage. What looked like a routine fall turned out to be something serious.
Scans later revealed a lacerated spleen and internal bleeding. His vitals dropped, and he had to be rushed to the ICU in Sydney. The treatment involved a non-surgical procedure to stop the bleeding, and even after being discharged, he remained under observation before returning to India. It took time, and it took a toll.
“I had lost around seven kg due to the injury, it was a severe one,” Iyer said during Punjab Kings’ jersey launch in Mohali. “Thankfully, I was back in good shape after two months. But gaining those 7 kg back took a lot of effort.”
That physical drop was only one part of it. His rehab at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru (BCCI) was tightly monitored, with restrictions on even basic movements that could strain the abdomen. But once he got going, he didn’t ease himself in.
He returned in January 2026, leading Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, and made an immediate impact with a brisk 82 off 53 balls. Soon after, he found his way back into India’s ODI first XI and was even drafted in as cover during the T20I series against New Zealand.
For Iyer, the comeback wasn’t just about being fit again. It was about proving to himself that he could get through a phase like that. “I enjoy challenges, and that was one I had to overcome. I’m glad I came through that phase and am back representing my team, and also having represented India in the previous series. I feel proud of myself,” he said.
Now, the focus shifts to Punjab Kings. Having taken them to the final last season, expectations are naturally high. But Iyer doesn’t seem to be shying away from it. “Expectations are high, which is fun. I love the challenge. But the important thing is that whenever we step in, we have to win. My eye is on the trophy,” Iyer said.
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