Suryakumar Yadav doubtful for the first two IPL games

Flamboyant batter Suryakumar Yadav is doubtful for the first couple of matches of Mumbai Indians in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The 33-year-old is currently rehabilitating at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru after a sports hernia surgery in January. As per reports, he is on track but the BCCI officials are in no mood to hurry as the ultimate goal is to keep him fit for the T20 World Cup, which is slated to begin on June 1.

Mumbai will begin their campaign on March 24 against Gujarat Titans at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Next, they will play Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 27. Suryakumar is expected to join the five-time champions after that. A source close to BCCI confirmed the development and stated that the cricketer is currently on track but the medical staff won’t allow him to play in the first couple of matches.

“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 was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

In Surya’s absence, the team management might prove Hardik Pandya up in the order, as he did well at number three for his previous franchise, Gujarat Titans. Other than that, they have the option to play dynamic batter Dewald Brevis, who is known for his aggressive batting. There are plenty of options that the franchise can ponder upon but they would miss Suryakumar’s consistency and game-changing skill.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians have started their camp as skipper Hardik Pandya joined the team on March 11. Head coach Mark Boucher and his support staff too joined as they were seen doing Puja before kicking off the season.