IPL 2024: BCCI source gives major update on Suryakumar Yadav's IPL participation - Report

Talented middle-order batter Suryakumar Yadav is recovering well but there is still no guarantee that he will be able to play in Mumbai Indians’ first two matches in IPL 2024. Moreover, the chances are pretty less seeing the current status of the talented batter and he has been out of action since December last year.

However, he is currently at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru undergoing his rehabilitation. Notably, he was suffering from a sports hernia and had to undergo surgeries in January in Germany. On the other hand, Mumbai Indians will begin their campaign on Sunday, March 24 – two days after the IPL 2024 tournament opener between defending champions Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore as well.

Suryakumar Yadav’s participation doubtful for the first two games

They will play against last year’s runners-up Gujarat Titans, and it is a race against time for him as well. And, according to a BCCI source, the NCA medical team might not give clearance to Suryakumar Yadav to take part in the first two matches of this season’s IPL as well.

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“Suryakumar Yadav’s rehabilitation is on track and he will certainly ‘Return to Play’ in the IPL itself. However it is still not clear whether the NCA’s Sports Science and Medical Team will give clearance to play in the first two away games against Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad (March 27),” a BCCI source told PTI on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav has been seen doing a lot of Strength and Conditioning (S&C) routines but we haven’t seen him batting yet, which will give a fair idea of how he is recovering. He last played a competitive match was a T20I against South Africa on December 14. He had to miss the DY Patil T20 Cup, where Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan returned.

Suryakumar Yadav to play a key role

“There are still 12 days to go before MI play their first game but it could be a race against time to get fit by the first match itself,” the source again said.

Notably, his last public appearance was at the pre-wedding functions of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant in Jamnagar as well. Surya is one of the key players in India’s T20 set-up with a strike-rate of 171-plus and 2,141 runs in 60 T20 games as well. He has four T20I tons to his credit. He also led India to a T20I series win at home against Australia after the ODI World Cup as well.

And, India’s chances in the T20 World Cup in the Americas (USA and West Indies) will depend a lot on how he recovers as well.