Middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer is nearing a return to competitive cricket after a spleen injury sustained in October. He is expected to play two matches for the Mumbai team in the Vijay Hazare Trophy on January 3 and 6 in Jaipur. Following these domestic games, Iyer is likely to be available for selection for India's upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, which begins on January 11. He has been undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.