Suryakumar Yadav’s Duleep Trophy snub poses doubt over his availability for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, as he is at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence for fitness assessments ahead of the continental championship.
Suryakumar has been reported to undergo rehabilitation under the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence at Bengaluru to undergo constant fitness assessment and emerge 100% fit before India advances to play the Asia Cup, where Suryakumar would be seen captaining the Indian side for the first time in a multi-team tournament.
BCCI’s cancellation of the India vs Bangladesh white-ball tour allowed Suryakumar to have some additional time before he could be deemed fit to return to the field. His injury concerns surfaced after a demanding IPL schedule was followed by another short stint in the T20 Mumbai League.
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Suryakumar Yadav is healing at the BCCI Centre of Excellence
As per reports in Cricbuzz, Suryakumar is still healing from the Sports Hernia surgery, which he underwent after the conclusion of the IPL and the Mumbai T20 League.
Though the batter confirmed that his surgery went smoothly and he is looking to make a comeback anytime soon, through a post on his social media handle, there have been concerns over his fitness ahead of the continental championship.
“Underwent surgery for a sports hernia in the lower right abdomen. Grateful to share that after a smooth surgery, I’m already on the road to recovery. Can’t wait to be back (sic),” he wrote in a social media post on June 26.
Suryakumar Yadav’s next big assignment with the Indian team comes in the Asia Cup, which will be played in the UAE and is scheduled to be played from the 9th to the 28th of September. The dynamic batter is expected to lead the Indian side in the continental championship.
Duleep Trophy snub poses imminent doubt over Suryakumar Yadav’s Asia Cup participation
Though some sources of Cricbuzz close to the Mumbai officials have confirmed that Suryakumar is confident of regaining complete fitness ahead of the Asia Cup 2025.
Despite the confirmation, Suryakumar Yadav’s rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence was cited as the major reason for his snub from West Zone’s Duleep Trophy squad, as Shardul Thakur was named as the captain of the 15-member squad.
Though Suryakumar was snubbed, the side includes several big names from Mumbai, including Shreyas Iyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, Shardul Thakur, Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian and Tushar Deshpande.
At the time of selection, the West Zone selectors probably inquired about Suryakumar Yadav’s availability, but possibly he informed them about his checking in to the CoE.
Shreyas Iyer also visits CoE for fitness Tests
Meanwhile, another Indian stalwart, Shreyas Iyer, who has been a crucial part of the Indian ODI side, is looking to make a Test comeback and hence reported his availability for the Duleep Trophy to the Mumbai Cricket Association.
It has been learned through Cricbuzz sources that Shreyas Iyer also visited the CoE last week for fitness checks and has returned to Mumbai following the routine assessments, where he was deemed fit.
He has been picked in the West Zone squad and is likely to feature in the 4-day Duleep Trophy game, which is scheduled to begin on the 28th of August in Bengaluru. However, West Zone will directly feature in the semi-finals.
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