Indian cricket fans breathed a sigh of relief when vice-captain Shreyas Iyer was discharged from a Sydney hospital after suffering a serious on-field injury. But as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed, what appeared to be a routine blow turned out to be something far more serious—a spleen laceration with internal bleeding. Now, Dr. Anshuman Kaushal, a bariatric surgeon from Apollo Hospitals, Delhi, has broken down what really happens when such an injury occurs, in a detailed social media video that has since gone viral.
A Silent Organ with a Vital Role
In his explainer, Dr. Kaushal described the spleen as an “immune powerhouse” that filters blood, removes aging red blood cells, and supports the immune system. Positioned in the upper left abdomen, just below the rib cage and next to the stomach, the spleen’s location makes it vulnerable to blunt trauma, especially during high-impact sports.
“Imagine this—a fast-rising ball hits your left side and your abdomen’s organ silently bleeds. That’s exactly what happened to Shreyas Iyer’s spleen,” Dr. Kaushal said in his post, translated from Hindi.
According to him, such impact can lead to a subcapsular hematoma (a bruise under the spleen’s outer covering), a laceration, or in severe cases, a complete rupture. Internal bleeding, he warned, can be “slow and sneaky,” often showing subtle symptoms like left flank pain, shoulder pain, dizziness, or low blood pressure.
How Doctors Diagnose and Treat It
As explained in Dr. Kaushal’s post referencing Apollo Hospitals’ clinical approach, the first step after such an injury is stabilizing the patient and conducting a contrast CT scan to determine the grade of the splenic injury—from Grade 1 (mild) to Grade 5 (severe).
If the patient is unstable or shows signs of peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal lining), immediate surgery is required. Depending on the situation, surgeons either repair the spleen, use special hemostatic agents to stop bleeding, or in extreme cases, remove the spleen entirely (a procedure called splenectomy).
However, Dr. Kaushal highlighted that modern medicine favors a “wait and watch” strategy whenever possible. “Surgery isn’t always about removal. Today, surgeons try to preserve the spleen because it’s crucial for immunity. Losing it increases lifelong risk of severe infections,” he said, citing medical studies that link spleen preservation to lower mortality rates.
What It Means for Shreyas Iyer’s Recovery
According to PTI reports, Iyer sustained the injury while fielding during the third ODI against Australia on October 25, 2025. The ball struck his lower left rib cage, causing a blunt injury that led to internal bleeding. After a minor surgical procedure in Sydney, he was discharged and is now stable.
For professional athletes, recovery timelines vary depending on injury severity. Dr. Kaushal explained, “Low-grade spleen injuries allow players to resume activity in about six weeks, but high-grade injuries can take three to four months.”
The BCCI has confirmed that Iyer will be out of action for at least two months and will return to India once he is fit to fly.
The Hidden Lesson
Dr. Kaushal’s detailed post offers a sobering reminder that not all injuries manifest immediately. “Even if you feel stable, internal injury may delay symptoms,” he said. He emphasized that after any blunt impact to the abdomen, one should not ignore warning signs, as late-onset bleeding can occur.
As Shreyas Iyer continues his recovery, his case serves as a powerful example of how a split-second sports injury can test not just endurance but also medical precision and patience. In the doctor’s own words: “Unseen organs often decide outcomes. Don’t gamble with ‘I’ll be fine.’ Get checked, think ahead, and give your body the care it deserves.”
A Silent Organ with a Vital Role
In his explainer, Dr. Kaushal described the spleen as an “immune powerhouse” that filters blood, removes aging red blood cells, and supports the immune system. Positioned in the upper left abdomen, just below the rib cage and next to the stomach, the spleen’s location makes it vulnerable to blunt trauma, especially during high-impact sports.
“Imagine this—a fast-rising ball hits your left side and your abdomen’s organ silently bleeds. That’s exactly what happened to Shreyas Iyer’s spleen,” Dr. Kaushal said in his post, translated from Hindi.
According to him, such impact can lead to a subcapsular hematoma (a bruise under the spleen’s outer covering), a laceration, or in severe cases, a complete rupture. Internal bleeding, he warned, can be “slow and sneaky,” often showing subtle symptoms like left flank pain, shoulder pain, dizziness, or low blood pressure.
How Doctors Diagnose and Treat It
As explained in Dr. Kaushal’s post referencing Apollo Hospitals’ clinical approach, the first step after such an injury is stabilizing the patient and conducting a contrast CT scan to determine the grade of the splenic injury—from Grade 1 (mild) to Grade 5 (severe).
If the patient is unstable or shows signs of peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal lining), immediate surgery is required. Depending on the situation, surgeons either repair the spleen, use special hemostatic agents to stop bleeding, or in extreme cases, remove the spleen entirely (a procedure called splenectomy).
However, Dr. Kaushal highlighted that modern medicine favors a “wait and watch” strategy whenever possible. “Surgery isn’t always about removal. Today, surgeons try to preserve the spleen because it’s crucial for immunity. Losing it increases lifelong risk of severe infections,” he said, citing medical studies that link spleen preservation to lower mortality rates.
What It Means for Shreyas Iyer’s Recovery
According to PTI reports, Iyer sustained the injury while fielding during the third ODI against Australia on October 25, 2025. The ball struck his lower left rib cage, causing a blunt injury that led to internal bleeding. After a minor surgical procedure in Sydney, he was discharged and is now stable.
For professional athletes, recovery timelines vary depending on injury severity. Dr. Kaushal explained, “Low-grade spleen injuries allow players to resume activity in about six weeks, but high-grade injuries can take three to four months.”
The BCCI has confirmed that Iyer will be out of action for at least two months and will return to India once he is fit to fly.
The Hidden Lesson
Dr. Kaushal’s detailed post offers a sobering reminder that not all injuries manifest immediately. “Even if you feel stable, internal injury may delay symptoms,” he said. He emphasized that after any blunt impact to the abdomen, one should not ignore warning signs, as late-onset bleeding can occur.
As Shreyas Iyer continues his recovery, his case serves as a powerful example of how a split-second sports injury can test not just endurance but also medical precision and patience. In the doctor’s own words: “Unseen organs often decide outcomes. Don’t gamble with ‘I’ll be fine.’ Get checked, think ahead, and give your body the care it deserves.”
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