IND vs NZ 2025: Shreyas Iyer Appointed India’s ODI Vice-Captain, Fitness Test Remains Only Obstacle

Shreyas Iyer has been named India’s vice-captain for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, but his place in the XI is still not guaranteed. The middle-order batter will play only if he gets final clearance from the BCCI medical team.

Iyer has not played since October 2025 after suffering a serious abdominal injury on the Australia tour. He hurt his spleen while attempting a fielding stop in Sydney and was later diagnosed with internal bleeding.

The injury was severe enough to require hospitalisation and a minor medical procedure. Doctors then put him on a carefully planned recovery path, with the BCCI keeping a close watch on every stage of his rehabilitation.

Since then, Iyer has gone through months of controlled training under the board’s medical and performance staff. His inclusion in the squad suggests he is close to full fitness, but the team management is not taking any risks yet.

Sources indicate his availability could change right up to the eve of the first ODI. A final call will be taken only after assessing how his body responds to full-intensity match simulations.

Despite the uncertainty, naming him vice-captain shows the faith the team has in Iyer. He is seen as a key middle-order option, especially with senior batters like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli back in the ODI setup.

India’s think tank believes Iyer’s ability to handle pace and spin in the middle overs adds balance to the batting line-up. His presence also allows more flexibility with all-rounders lower down the order.

If Iyer does not get the green signal, India will once again have to reshuffle their middle order for the New Zealand series. The team has already dealt with frequent changes in that slot over the past year.