Shreyas Iyer's return to cricket is delayed due to concerns over his strength levels post-injury. Despite being able to bat comfortably, Iyer lost approximately six kilograms and muscle mass after an abdominal injury, impacting his overall power and agility. The BCCI medical team is prioritizing complete recovery, requiring him to meet specific strength benchmarks before granting 'Return to Play' clearance. This delay makes his participation in the upcoming New Zealand ODI series highly uncertain and necessitates a reshuffle in India's middle order.