In the exciting clash between Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2024 season, the absence of key player Suryakumar Yadav has become a major concern for the Mumbai-based franchise.
Renowned for his ability to anchor the innings and play crucial roles in challenging situations, Yadav’s absence due to an ongoing ankle injury has left a significant gap in the team’s lineup.
Despite hopes of his return for the encounter against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Yadav continues his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, casting doubt on his availability for future matches, including MI’s first home game against Rajasthan Royals. His absence is felt even more profoundly considering his prolonged absence from the game since the T20I series against South Africa.
Although expectations were high for his comeback in the IPL, clearance from the NCA is still pending, raising concerns about his fitness. These concerns were further worsened by a recent Instagram story featuring a heartbreak emoji, signaling the uncertainty surrounding Yadav’s recovery.
Surya Kumar Yadav's latest Instagram story. 🤔#MumbaiIndians | #IPL2024 | #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/xv5fshCUj3
— Cricdiction (@cricdiction) March 19, 2024
With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, the NCA is prioritizing Yadav’s fitness, recognizing his indispensable role as a key player for India in the shortest format of the game.
In Yadav’s absence, Mumbai Indians may look towards players like Naman Dhir to step up and fill the void, as demonstrated by Dhir’s impactful performance in the previous IPL game. However, the absence of Yadav poses a significant challenge for Mumbai Indians, led by Hardik Pandya, as they strive for their first victory of the season.
Utpal is a journalist covering online and offline sports in India. He has passion for everything sports and is a regular at various sports events. Follow him to stay abreast of all things sports.
