Shreyas Iyer Recovers from Spleen Injury, Set to Lead Punjab Kings in IPL 2026

Shreyas Iyer, captain of the Punjab Kings, has fully recovered from a serious spleen injury and is poised to lead his team in the Indian Premier League starting March 31, 2026, when they face the Gujarat Titans in Mullanpur.

The 31-year-old batsman sustained the injury during India's third one-day international against Australia in Sydney in October 2025. The condition, which involved internal bleeding, required hospitalization and intensive care unit treatment before he was discharged within days. Iyer spent over two months sidelined, undergoing rehabilitation at the Board of Control for Cricket in India Centre of Excellence under the guidance of VVS Laxman and medical staff. The ordeal led to significant weight loss, with Iyer dropping around seven kilograms.

Recovery proved physically and mentally demanding. "It is always challenging to come back after an injury. I had lost around seven kilos due to the injury, which was a severe one," Iyer said at a preseason press conference. "Thankfully, I was back in good shape after two months. But gaining those seven kilos back took a lot of effort. I enjoy challenges, and that was one I had to overcome." He returned to competitive...