Concerns have arisen within the Indian camp following an injury to key batsman Suryakumar Yadav during the third T20I series against South Africa at St. George’s Oval in Port Elizabeth. Suryakumar, who assumed the role of captain for India in this series on an interim basis, continued to impress with his batting, notably achieving a crucial century against the Proteas in the final T20I, while fielding during the second innings, the skipper twisted his ankle early on and was promptly escorted off the field for immediate medical attention from the physios.
Adding to the concerns, it is anticipated that the batsman will likely miss the forthcoming T20I series against Afghanistan at home. This series marks the final T20 international series before both the Indian Premier League and the T20 World Cup 2024, jointly hosted by the West Indies and the United States of America.
During his time away from the field, the esteemed T20 batsman was observed spending leisure time with his wife, Devisha Shetty, in the United Kingdom. His wife shared a photo on her Instagram story revealing that the batsman was seen wearing a pneumatic walking boot.
Fans are optimistic about a swift recovery for the batsman, anticipating his strong comeback in the IPL and subsequently rejoining the Indian team ahead of the T20 World Cup. His significance in the Indian batting lineup is unparalleled, holding the number-one ranking in the format for valid reasons. His absence would undoubtedly be a significant setback for the Indian side, particularly before such a significant tournament.
In the interim, the Indian team is shifting its focus to the red-ball format as they prepare for a two-match Test series against South Africa, an integral part of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. The series’ first match, the Boxing Day Test, is scheduled at SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium in Centurion.
