Shreyas Iyer ruled out of IPL 2026? Fresh update leaves Punjab Kings in panic
Table of Contents
India vice-captain Shreyas Iyer has been ruled out of competitive cricket after a serious laceration injury suffered during the final ODI match in Sydney. As per a report from Dainik Jagran, Iyer is unlikely to recover before IPL 2026.
Shreyas Iyer moved from the Kolkata Knight Riders to his new franchise, the Punjab Kings. The Knight Riders' title-winning skipper went on to lead the Punjab team to their second final in the history of the IPL. Other than being their skipper, he stood out as a spectacular batsman for them.
Shreyas was promoted to be India's vice-captain in ODIs after Shubman Gill was appointed the skipper in the format. For the first time, he took the field as India's vice-captain during the India tour of Australia.
Shreyas Iyer's IPL dreams shattered by injury?
श्रेयश अय्यर https://t.co/4NXllHroOQ pic.twitter.com/niZf5uwySW
— Abhishek Tripathi / अभिषेक त्रिपाठी (@abhishereporter) November 22, 2025
After a start to his leadership career with the Aussies tour, Shreyas was ruled out following a laceration injury that he suffered during fielding in Sydney, when he dismissed Alex Carey with a stupendous catch.
After being ruled out with the injury, Shreyas, who was hospitalized in Sydney for weeks, reported being out of action for two months.
Abhishek Tripathi from Dainik Jagran has now reported that Shreyas will only get fit before the IPL 2026 edition. This is a huge blow for PBKS since their best batter from the last season would enter the season with very little game time.
Shreyas ruled out of the South Africa and New Zealand series
Shreyas Iyer has been snubbed from participation in the two upcoming series for India. One of them is in the currently ongoing series against South Africa.
Shreyas had already asked the BCCI to relieve him from red-ball duties due to ill-health and due to his back injury.
A UCG Test has been conducted on Shreyas' injury, and he is likely to undergo scans which might allow him to start his recovery by the end of December or the start of January. This would automatically rule him out of the upcoming South Africa white ball series and the New Zealand home series later this year.
Who will replace Shreyas Iyer in the Indian team?
Shreyas Iyer holds a very crucial role within the Indian team. The middle-order batter has been slotted in at no. 4 and has amassed several runs since the World Cup 2023.
Shreyas might be replaced by the likes of Rishabh Pant, who might be making a comeback to the ODI side. Dhruv Jurel is also in contention, alongside other players like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson, also fighting for that one spot.
Tagged:
India National Cricket Team Shreyas Iyer Punjab Kings IPL India vs New Zealand New Zealand National Cricket Team South Africa National Cricket Team India vs South Africa
