Indian cricketer Shreyas Iyer recently grabbed headlines, not for a blistering knock or match-winning catch, but for something far more serious: a spleen injury. The small, soft organ tucked under your left rib cage suddenly became the center of conversation across cricket circles.So, what exactly happened? The spleen plays a key role in filtering blood and fighting infections, but it’s also delicate. In high-impact sports like cricket, even a single blow or awkward fall on the left side can cause a splenic rupture, which basically means the spleen tears and bleeds internally. The scary part? The symptoms can be sneaky, mild pain in the upper abdomen, dizziness, or that odd pain shooting up to the left shoulder (called Kehr’s sign). Many players brush it off as muscle strain, not realizing it can turn life-threatening if ignored.

“The case of cricketer Shreyas Iyer has brought attention to a serious but often misunderstood injury — splenic rupture. The spleen is a soft, vascular organ located in the upper left part of the abdomen, just beneath the rib cage. It plays a key role in filtering blood and fighting infections. In high-impact sports such as cricket, a direct blow or fall on the left side of the abdomen can cause the spleen to tear or rupture, leading to internal bleeding — sometimes significant enough to become life-threatening within minutes if not diagnosed promptly,” says Dr. Mahendra Singh Rajput, Assistant Professor – Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad.A splenic rupture or splenic tear can present with vague symptoms such as upper abdominal pain, dizziness, or pain radiating to the left shoulder (known as Kehr’s sign). However, because the initial signs can be subtle, many athletes ignore them — delaying treatment and risking severe internal bleeding.“In cases like Iyer’s, if the bleeding is limited and the patient remains stable, conservative management with close monitoring is preferred. But in more severe ruptures, a splenectomy, surgical removal of the spleen, may become necessary. Though people can live normally after a splenectomy, the spleen plays an important immune function, and such patients must take additional precautions, including specific vaccinations against bacterial infections like Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae,” Dr. Mahendra Singh Rajput adds.“This incident is a strong reminder that any abdominal impact, even in young and fit athletes, warrants immediate medical evaluation. Quick imaging and timely intervention can save lives and ensure complete recovery without long-term complications,” the doctor advises.

Shreyas Iyer injury: Latest medical update

The BCCI has released the third medical update on Shreyas Iyer’s injury: Shreyas Iyer sustained a blunt injury to his abdomen while fielding during the third ODI against Australia on 25th October 2025, resulting in a laceration of his spleen with internal bleeding. The injury was promptly identified, and the bleeding was immediately arrested following a minor procedure. He has undergone appropriate medical management for the same.He is now stable and recovering well. The BCCI Medical Team, along with specialists in Sydney and India, are pleased with his recovery, and he has been discharged from the hospital today.The BCCI extends its heartfelt gratitude to Dr Kouroush Haghigi and his team in Sydney, along with Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala in India, for ensuring Shreyas received the best treatment for his injury. Shreyas will continue to stay in Sydney for follow-up consultations and will return to India once he is deemed fit to fly.