India’s One-Day International (ODI) vice-captain Shreyas Iyer has been hospitalised in Sydney after sustaining a serious injury during the third ODI against Australia, according to Indian media reports.

Iyer, who had taken a brilliant catch while running backwards from backward point to dismiss Alex Carey, appeared to have injured his left rib cage in the process.

After returning to the dressing room, his condition reportedly worsened, prompting his immediate transfer to the hospital.

Medical examinations revealed internal bleeding caused by an internal injury, and he was moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for close monitoring, sources said.

Doctors described his condition as critical but stable, while a source told the Press Trust of India that early intervention prevented the injury from becoming life-threatening.

According to sources, Iyer fainted in the dressing room, and his vital parameters were alarmingly low. He was rushed to the hospital soon after, with scans revealing he sustained a “laceration injury to the spleen”.

Iyer is expected to remain in the hospital for at least five to seven days, and his recovery period may extend beyond the initially advised three weeks.

The BCCI medical team acted swiftly after detecting irregularities in his vital signs. The 31-year-old will be allowed to return to India only after doctors clear him for travel.

Although Iyer is not currently part of India’s T20 squad, his absence is considered a major setback for the ODI team.

Indian cricket circles have expressed concern and sent best wishes for his speedy recovery.