'Already joking with the nurses' - Latest report gives positive update on Shreyas Iyer injury

Star cricketer Shreyas Iyer is reportedly on the road to his recovery and could also get an early discharge from the hospital in Sydney, after undergoing a procedure on his spleen, which had a laceration. Iyer got injured while fielding at backward point region in the third ODI between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground, and had to be hospitalized for further treatment, where he was kept in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

If media reports are to be believed, the India vice-captain is in a cheerful mood, where he is said to be talking nicely to the medical staff at the St. Vincent's Private Hospital in Sydney. And although he may get a discharge from the hospital sooner than expected, he may take up to eight weeks to recover to full fitness before being ready to don the India jersey once again.

“He's talking, smiling, and already joking with the nurses,” a media report stated as quoted by NDTV Sports.

Shreyas Iyer may recover much earlier: BCCI Secy Devajit Saikia

Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India's secretary Devajit Saikia has also provided a huge update on the condition of the star cricketer. Saikia confirmed that the doctors at the Sydney hospital are extremely satisfied with his progress and that he has started carrying out his routine tasks.

“Shreyas is much, much, much better. His recovery has been much faster than what the doctor expected. I'm in regular touch with Dr Rizwan (Khan, Indian team doctor who stayed back with Iyer to assist with his treatment at the Sydney hospital). Normally, he should take six to eight weeks (to recover completely), but you can expect a surprise from him because he may recover much earlier,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said as quoted by The Times of India.

“The doctors are very satisfied with his progress. He has started his normal functioning (routine chores). His injury was very severe, but he has recovered and is out of danger, which is why he was shifted from the ICU to his room in the hospital yesterday,” Saikia added.

The Indian team is scheduled to play three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) against South Africa, starting November 30 in Rajkot. The next two games will be played in Vadodara and Indore. It will be interesting to see if Iyer is present in India's squad for the upcoming series, and if not, it will also be noteworthy to see who is the vice-captain in his absence.