Star player Suryakumar Yadav will definitely miss Mumbai Indians' IPL opener against Gujarat Titans on March 24 as he has not yet received fitness clearance from the National Cricket Academy (NCA). World No. 1 T20 batsman Suryakumar is stationed at the NCA in Bengaluru for his recovery and rehabilitation after surgery for sports hernia. Suryakumar, who has been out of action since December, underwent a fitness test at the NCA on Tuesday but PTI understands that the 33-year-old needs “further assessment”. His participation in the subsequent matches for Mumbai Indians – against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 27, Rajasthan Royals on April 1 and Delhi Capitals on April 7 – would be decided at a later stage.
Suryakumar posted a cryptic message on his Instagram page on Tuesday conveying a 'heartbreak'.
Mumbai Indians, meanwhile, are busy with practice matches behind closed doors here at the Wankhede Stadium.
Earlier, Suryakumar posted a cryptic image on social media that left fans worried ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.
Suryakumar posted a 'broken heart' emoji on his Instagram story.
In February he underwent groin surgery. This was the second operation he has undergone in recent months, after the one for an ankle injury.
“I would like to thank everyone for their concern and good wishes for my health, and I am happy to tell you all that I will be back very soon,” he said in a message on X after the operation.
Suryakumar led the Indian T20I team for the three-match series in South Africa in the absence of Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya. He scored 56 off 36 balls in the second T20I in Gqeberha and 100 off 56 balls in the third T20I in Johannesburg.
He was not part of the Indian ODI squad for the three-match series in South Africa. Yadav was also unavailable for selection for the home matches against Afghanistan at home due to injury.
While speaking at Mumbai Indians' pre-season press conference, head coach Mark Boucher opened up about Suryakumar Yadav's injury and said that the team management is currently awaiting updates from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
“We are waiting for updates on Suryakumar from the BCCI. We have always been under a cloud of fitness concerns, but we have a world-class medical team. We may lose one or two in terms of fitness, but we must move on, just like sports. ', said Boucher.
(With input from the agency)
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