In a major setback for Mumbai Indians (MI), star middle-order batsman Suryakumar Yadav has major doubts for his team’s opening IPL 2024 clash against Gujarat Titans (GT), which will take place on 24 March at Narendra. Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, according to ESPNcricinfo.
Suryakumar Yadav is the number one batsman in the ICC T20I rankings and is one of the most important members of MI’s batting line-up. Although the five-time champions have good backup options available, the absence of a player of Suryakumar Yadav’s caliber will be a colossal blow for the team.
Suryakumar Yadav was last seen on the cricket field in December 2023 during the tour of South Africa. He injured his ankle in the third T20I against the Proteas, where he played a stunning knock of 100 runs off 56 balls. Following his injury, the star T20I batsman underwent two surgeries for his ankle and a sports hernia.
After undergoing surgery, he was unable to participate in the three-match T20I series at home against the Afghanistan national cricket team, where batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli made their T20I returns. Later he missed the DY Patil tournament because he was not considered fit to play.
Meanwhile, ESPNcricinfo reports claim that the middle-order batsman is doubtful for Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2024 opener due to ankle surgery. Suryakumar, who has been exceptional with the bat in the last few seasons, will also miss the warm-up matches, which will be played on Monday and Wednesday.
Suryakumar Yadav is currently under the management of the Indian cricket team – Mark Boucher
On Monday, March 18, Mumbai Indians (MI) head coach Mark Boucher and captain Hardik Pandya attended a press conference. During the interaction with reporters, Boucher provided an update on Suryakumar Yadav, saying that he is under observation by the BCCI and they are waiting for an update on his return. He also said they will move forward in case they lose some players due to physical problems.
“Surya is currently also under the management of the Indian cricket team. I’m just waiting for updates on that. I don’t like micromanaging. We have a world-class medical team that is in control of all of that. Yes, we have had some fitness issues in the past. We will always be in that kind of realm of having fitness issues as other teams are as well.
“Every time I look at my WhatsApp there are reports that other teams are also losing players. We trust that our medical team is doing the right thing. Look, if we lose one or two from a fitness perspective, it is what it is. “That’s important and we just have to stay on the right path and keep an eye out for replacements.”
Talking about Mumbai Indians, they recently underwent a major change when Hardik Pandya replaced Rohit Sharma at the helm. The decision to remove Rohit Sharma from the captaincy despite being the most successful IPL captain did not go down well with fans. Also, in the press conference, Mark Boucher and Hardik Pandya ignored the question about Rohit Sharma. dismissal.