'Shreyas Iyer may recover much earlier': BCCI secretary provides latest update, refutes report of surgery

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) general secretary Davajit Saikia has informed that batter Shreyas Iyer is in “much, much better” shape after being moved out of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Iyer was admitted to the ICU on Saturday after rupturing his spleen while taking a forward diving catch in India’s third ODI against Australia in Sydney.

The 30-year-old Mumbai cricketer was admitted to the hospital immediately after his injury as his vitals dropped significantly. However, Saikia, in an exclusive with the Times of India, has informed that Iyer’s recovery has been “faster” than what the doctor expected.

‘Iyer may recover much earlier’: BCCI secretary

The Punjab Kings captain is currently stable, out of the ICU, and able to do things normally.

“Shreyas is much, much, much better. His recovery has been much faster than what the doctor expected. I’m in regular touch with Dr Rizwan (Khan, Indian team doctor who stayed back with Iyer to assist with his treatment at the Sydney hospital). Normally, he should take six to eight weeks (to recover completely), but you can expect a surprise from him because he may recover much earlier,” Saikia told the Times of India.

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“The doctors are very satisfied with his progress. He has started his normal functioning (routine chores). His injury was very severe, but he has recovered and is out of danger, which is why he was shifted from the ICU to his room in the hospital yesterday,” he added.

Saikia also refuted the reports that Iyer underwent surgery, but added that he underwent a “different” procedure, which is why he is able to recover so quickly.

“Shreyas didn’t undergo a surgery but underwent a different procedure, which is why he recovered so early,” Saikia revealed.

As per BCCI sources, Iyer is set to stay in the Sydney hospital for at least a week more as he slowly recovers from the injury, which could have been fatal.

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Meanwhile, BCCI is in the process of sending Shreyas’ sister, Shresta Iyer, to Sydney to be by his brother’s side. “The BCCI has done its best to help Shreyas out. The BCCI’s doctor (Rizwan) is totally focused on Iyer’s treatment and recovery there. Shreyas has been put up in the best hospital in Sydney (St Vincent’s Hospital),” Saikia said.

As per reports, Iyer has recovered to the extent that he can eat solid food and walk on his own. India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav also revealed on Tuesday that Iyer was able to talk to people on the phone and reply to messages.