The 2024-25 domestic cricket season in India is set to kick off with the Duleep Trophy on September 5, and all eyes are on the star-studded lineup. Among the many players hoping to make a mark and earn a spot back in the Indian Test team is the dynamic batsman, Suryakumar Yadav. However, just as his dreams seemed within reach, an unfortunate injury has thrown a wrench in his plans.
Injury Strikes at the Worst Time
Suryakumar Yadav, who has been eagerly preparing for the upcoming season, sustained a hand injury during a pre-season match in the Buchi Babu tournament held in Coimbatore. The injury occurred while fielding on the third day of the match between Mumbai and TNCA XI. The timing couldn’t have been worse, as this injury has now ruled him out of the initial rounds of the Duleep Trophy, effectively putting his Test comeback aspirations on hold.
Rest and Recovery at NCA
Following the injury, Suryakumar has been advised to rest and is currently undergoing regular checkups at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. The injury also prevented him from batting in the second innings of the Buchi Babu match, adding to his frustration. The 33-year-old batsman had recently expressed his desire to make a return to the Indian Test team, and his participation in the Duleep Trophy was seen as a crucial step in achieving that goal. Unfortunately, the injury has dashed those hopes, at least for the time being.
A Tough Road Back
Suryakumar Yadav has made a significant impact in limited-overs cricket, particularly in T20s, where he has been a consistent performer. His performances in this format earned him the captaincy of India’s T20 team. However, his Test career has been limited to just one appearance, which came against Australia last year. In that match, Suryakumar managed to score only 8 runs, and since then, he has not been given another opportunity in the longest format of the game.
This setback is particularly disheartening for Suryakumar, who had been gearing up for the Duleep Trophy as a platform to showcase his skills and make a strong case for his inclusion in the Test squad. With his injury keeping him out of action, the road to a Test recall has become significantly more challenging.
