The Mumbai Indians will be without their star batter Suryakumar Yadav for a few more matches at least. Currently ranked as the world's top T20 batsman, Surya is in the final stages of recovery from a sports hernia surgery, with his rehabilitation being closely monitored by the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
The absence of Surya has been felt by the Mumbai Indians, who have experienced defeats in their opening two matches of the season. Despite the setback, there is optimism about his return to the field.
"Surya is making very good progress and very soon he will be back playing for MI. However, he might have to sit out for a few more games, having missed the first two," disclosed a BCCI source to PTI.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is taking a cautious approach with Surya's comeback. Given his crucial role in the Indian team, especially with the T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies on the horizon in June, the board is prioritizing his full recovery. "For BCCI, the main concern is if he is on course for World T20 which he is. Obviously he will play for MI but after a sports hernia surgery, he can't be rushed," the source added.
Surya, aged 33, is renowned for his explosive batting style, often drawing comparisons with the legendary A B de Villiers due to his versatile shot-making abilities. Boasting an impressive strike rate of 171.55 in T20s, his contributions are vital for both Mumbai Indians and the national team. With 60 T20I appearances, he has amassed 2141 runs, including four centuries.
The Mumbai Indians are scheduled to face the Rajasthan Royals in their next match, which will also be their first home game of the season, on Monday.
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