Team India vice-captain Shreyas Iyer’s evening at the Sydney Cricket Ground took a painful turn after he injured his left hip while taking a stunning catch to dismiss Alex Carey during the third ODI against Australia.
The incident unfolded in the 27th over, when Harshit Rana bowled a short delivery that Carey mistimed into the air. Iyer, sprinting back from backward point, executed a brilliant over-the-shoulder catch — but the awkward landing saw him crash onto his left side, immediately clutching his hip in visible agony.
Medical attention and on-field treatment
The Indian physio and medical team rushed onto the field as Iyer lay on the turf for a brief period. He appeared to be in intense pain, struggling to get up, before being helped off the field slowly. The visuals from the SCG showed him grimacing and limping heavily, raising concerns about the seriousness of the injury.
Early signs: unlikely to bat again
According to sources from the Indian dressing room, Iyer is unlikely to take any further part in this match. The initial assessment suggests a possible strain or pull around the hip area, though a full medical update from the BCCI Medical Team is awaited.
Given the degree of discomfort, his return to bat appears improbable, especially in what’s already a high-intensity contest. He was seen applying ice treatment in the dugout before being escorted to the dressing room for further evaluation.
Impact on India’s batting plans
Iyer’s absence could deal a blow to India’s batting depth, especially as they chase stability in the middle order ahead of the upcoming T20I series. With Axar Patel and KL Rahul next in line, India may have to reshuffle their batting order depending on the match situation.
