In the third ODI of the India vs. Australia series at the Sydney Cricket Ground on October 25, 2025, Shreyas Iyer sustained a serious injury while executing a spectacular catch to dismiss Alex Carey for 24 runs. The incident occurred in the 33.4th over when Carey sliced a short delivery from Harshit Rana, sending the ball high between third man and backward point. Iyer, sprinting back from backward point, launched into a full-length dive, securing the catch but crashing heavily onto his left side, injuring his rib and possibly his head upon impact with the ground. Visibly in pain, Iyer required assistance from the physio and was helped off the field for further medical evaluation, raising concerns about his availability to bat later in India’s innings. Commentators expressed hope for a swift recovery, noting the catch as a game-changing moment despite the cost to the Indian vice-captain.

Australia, batting first after captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss, reached 183/4 in 33.4 overs, with Matt Renshaw anchoring the innings with a maiden ODI fifty off 48 balls. India’s bowling attack showed resilience, with Harshit Rana claiming his first wicket, supported by Mohammed Siraj, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar, each taking one scalp.

Earlier, India made two changes to their lineup, bringing in Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna for Arshdeep Singh and the injured Nitish Kumar Reddy, who suffered a left quadriceps injury in the second ODI. Australia replaced Xavier Bartlett with Nathan Ellis. The series, already clinched 2-0 by Australia after wins in Perth (by 7 wickets, DLS method) and Adelaide (by 2 wickets), sees India fighting to avoid a whitewash on a batting-friendly SCG pitch, where 270-280 is considered par.

Iyer’s injury, described as potentially an impact-related issue, casts uncertainty over his participation, which is critical given his recent form—scoring 61 in the second ODI and a fifty in the unofficial ODI for India A earlier in October. His absence could strain India’s middle order, already reeling from Virat Kohli’s back-to-back ducks and early dismissals of Shubman Gill.

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Social media reactions on X reflected concern, with fans praising Iyer’s commitment but urging recovery, while some criticised India’s fielding lapses, like Prasidh Krishna’s dropped catch of Carey earlier. The match, broadcast on Star Sports and streamed on JioHotstar, remains poised for a high-scoring chase, with India banking on their spinners to restrict Australia below 280 and salvage pride in this dead rubber.