‘Could have been fatal’: Indian star admitted to Sydney ICU after freak on-field mishap

Indian vice-captain Shreyas Iyer has reportedly been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of a Sydney hospital after a freak fielding mishap during Saturday’s third ODI against Australia at the SCG.

The 30-year-old held onto a superb tumbling catch in the outfield during the ODI series finale in Sydney, dismissing Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey for 24.

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Iyer was in immediate discomfort after completing the catch, during which his elbow appeared to dig into his ribcage, assisted off the field by team medics.

The BCCI later confirmed he had been “taken to the hospital for further evaluation and assessment of his injury”.

But on Monday, The Times of India reported that Iyer was in the ICU having suffered “severe internal bleeding” as a result of a left lower rib cage injury.

He is expected to remain in hospital for up to a week, with a source telling PTI the injury “could have been fatal”.

“Scans have revealed a laceration injury to the spleen,” BCCI Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia said in a statement.

“He is under treatment, medically stable, and recovering well. The BCCI Medical Team, in consultation with specialists in Sydney and India, is closely monitoring his injury status. The Indian Team Doctor will remain in Sydney with Shreyas to evaluate his day-to-day progress.”

Iyer has played 138 matches for India since making his international debut in 2017, scoring 4832 runs for his country.

India won the third ODI by nine wickets courtesy of an unbeaten 168-run partnership between veteran opener Rohit Sharma and superstar Virat Kohli.

Australia and India turn their towards the T20 series, which gets underway at Canberra’s Manuka Oval on Wednesday evening at 7.15pm AEDT.

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