Team India’s star batsman Shreyas Iyer, regarded as one of the finest ODI players of this era, has made a painful revelation about his career struggles. Iyer, who played a crucial role in India’s Champions Trophy victory and was part of the 2023 World Cup final, shared that he once suffered a spine injury so severe that it left one of his legs paralyzed.

In a candid conversation with GQ India, Iyer said:
“People cannot imagine the pain I went through. One of my legs had completely stopped moving—I was paralyzed. I had to undergo spine surgery where a rod was inserted in my back. The pain stretched from my waist down to my heels. It was one of the scariest phases of my life.”

The Surgery and Its Impact

In 2023, Iyer underwent back surgery that forced him to miss the IPL as well as the World Test Championship final. His absence also led Delhi Capitals to appoint Rishabh Pant as captain, after which Iyer eventually parted ways with the franchise.

“Players Are Not Robots”

Iyer also spoke about the mental toll players face when they are trolled for failures:
“People often think cricketers are robots, expected to perform in every game. They don’t understand what goes on behind the scenes.”

Determined to Make a Comeback

Despite his struggles, Iyer remains determined. Though he missed selection for the Asia Cup squad, he is eyeing a strong comeback in both the Test and T20 formats, apart from continuing in ODIs.

His story is a reminder of the unseen battles athletes fight behind their on-field performances.