India's T20 captain, Suryakumar Yadav, has encountered a setback after suffering a hand injury during the ongoing Buchi Babu tournament. This injury has cast doubt on his participation in the upcoming Duleep Trophy, a tournament that could have been an opportunity for him to push for a return to India's Test squad.
The injury occurred while Suryakumar was fielding at leg slip during a match against Tamil Nadu Cricket Association XI. As he attempted to stop a flick shot, the ball struck his hand and caused him immediate pain.
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This forced him to leave the field, and he did not return to bat in Mumbai's second innings. His team struggled without him. They scored a low total of 156 runs in first innings and managed to score only 223 runs in their second innings that led to a heavy defeat by 286 runs.
Will Suryakumar Yadav play Duleep Trophy?
Currently, there is no official word from the Mumbai Cricket Association regarding the severity of Suryakumar's injury. This uncertainty raises concerns about whether he will be fit enough to play in the Duleep Trophy, where he was expected to represent the India C team.
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His absence could be a blow to the team, especially considering the importance of the tournament in his bid to make a comeback to the Test side.
Suryakumar Yadav’s Test aspirations
Though widely recognized as a T20 batsman, Suryakumar Yadav has expressed a strong desire to establish himself in Test cricket. He made his Test debut earlier this year against Australia but did not have a lasting impression.
With India scheduled to play several Test matches in the coming months, the Duleep Trophy was seen as a crucial platform for him to show his skills and earn a spot in the Test squad.