Suryakumar Yadav, India’s leading T20 batsman, sparked worry when he displayed signs of discomfort while scoring a match-winning century against Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, he assured that there are no injury concerns. Yadav attributed his discomfort to his first extensive T20 appearance since December 14, citing an ankle and sports hernia injury.
Concerns Rise Over Suryakumar Yadav’s Fitness After Magnificent Century
In a concerning development for Indian cricket enthusiasts, Suryakumar Yadav was visibly in discomfort during the latter half of his remarkable 51-ball century against Sunrises Hyderabad at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. This has raised apprehensions regarding the fitness of India’s premier T20 batsman, particularly with the T20 World Cup looming less than a month away.
The dynamic batter later clarified that he was experiencing the aftermath of his first full-fledged T20 appearance since December 14, when he was sidelined due to an ankle injury followed by a sports hernia. “After 14th December, this is the first time I fielded for 20 overs and batted for 18. But I’m alright,” stated the Mumbaikar. Initially, Suryakumar Yadav played as an ‘Impact Player’ in the IPL, which exempted him from fielding duties. However, in the last two matches, he has been part of the starting XI.
According to reports, during the team selection meeting for the T20 World Cup, India’s selectors expressed a desire to observe Yadav’s extended presence on the field to assess his physical condition after nearly four months of injury-induced absence.
Suryakumar Yadav’s Return to Form in IPL-2024
On Monday night, the 33-year-old faced challenges primarily from the heat and humidity of Mumbai, rather than his opponents. Despite a lackluster performance earlier in IPL-2024, scoring only 232 runs in eight matches, SKY showcased a remarkable comeback with his sixth T20 hundred.
Batting with his trademark 360-degree style, Surya aggressively tackled SRH’s bowlers, especially left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmad, whom he repeatedly swept for boundaries. He attributed his mastery of traditional strokes to Mumbai’s cricketing culture, honed through extensive experience in first-class cricket and numerous games at Wankhede Stadium.
Reflecting on Surya’s innings, Mumbai’s batting coach Kieron Pollard emphasized his natural aggression tempered with situational awareness, acknowledging the importance of adapting to challenging conditions.
