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Team India is gearing up to face Bangladesh in a two-match Test series starting on September 19 in Chennai. The series will mark the return of the T20 World Cup 2024 champions to the longest format of the game after a hiatus of over a month. India last white-ball series was against Sri Lanka, and prior to that, they played a five-Test series against England earlier this year. This upcoming series against Bangladesh will be their first Test engagement in six months.
The team has been dealt a significant blow with the news that Suryakumar Yadav has suffered a hand injury. This development comes as a major setback, particularly because Suryakumar was seen as a potential inclusion for the Test squad.
The explosive T20I batter, who has played only one Test match in his career, was aiming to make a return to the longest format of the game. He was in the midst of the Buchi Babu tournament for Mumbai, where he sustained the injury. Suryakumar also had plans to participate in the upcoming Duleep Trophy, set to begin on September 5, but his current injury casts doubt on his participation.
Reports indicate that Suryakumar sustained the injury while fielding during a Buchi Babu tournament match against Tamil Nadu in Coimbatore. As of now, there is uncertainty regarding his participation in both the Duleep Trophy and the Test series against Bangladesh.
Suryakumar had expressed his eagerness to secure a permanent spot in the Indian Test team. He made his Test debut in February 2023 against Australia and has since been working towards solidifying his place in the squad. Reflecting on his aspirations, Suryakumar had said, “There are a lot of people who have worked really hard to earn their place, and even I want to earn that spot again. I made my debut for India in Tests, and after that, I got injured as well. Many players have since been given opportunities and performed well. They deserve their chance right now.
The injury comes at a crucial time, with Suryakumar having been a key figure in India’s T20 setup and a player with the potential to contribute significantly in Tests. His absence will be keenly felt as the team prepares for a challenging series against Bangladesh. The Indian cricket community will be watching closely to see how the team adjusts and whether Suryakumar can recover in time to make a return to the field in the near future.
Suryakumar Picks up Hand Injury During Buchi Babu Tournament
Suryakumar Yadav participation in the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament match against Tamil Nadu Cricket Association XI in Coimbatore was cut short to just 38 balls after he sustained a hand injury while fielding. The extent of the injury and its potential impact on his participation in the upcoming Duleep Trophy, which starts on September 5, remains unclear.
Mumbai outing in the Buchi Babu Tournament was also disappointing, as they could only manage 156 runs in response to TNCA XI’s 379. TNCA XI then added 286 more runs, setting Mumbai a daunting target of 510 for victory.
The Buchi Babu Tournament and the Duleep Trophy are crucial for Suryakumar. who is aiming to make a return to India’s Test team. As the captain of India’s T20I side, he is keen to solidify his place in the longest format of the game. Suryakumar has played only one Test, against Australia in Nagpur in February 2023, where he scored 8 runs in his sole innings during India’s victory by an innings and 132 runs.
Before the game in Coimbatore, Suryakumar expressed his anticipation for the upcoming fixtures, saying, “What is in my power right now is to play the Buchi Babu tournament, go on to play the Duleep Trophy and then see what happens. But yes, I’m really looking forward to it. There are ten Test matches lined up and I’m obviously excited for some red-ball fun.
Since last season Duleep Trophy final in July—over a year ago—Suryakumar has not played a first-class fixture. During this period, he underwent groin surgery, which sidelined him for three months. Despite this, he participated in both the ODI and T20 World Cups. In the upcoming Duleep Trophy, Suryakumar will be part of Team C, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad and featuring players like B Sai Sudharsan and Rajat Patidar. Other notable players in the tournament include KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan. all vying for a place in India’s Test setup.
India World Test Championship 2023-25 fixtures include two Tests against Bangladesh at home in September-October, three Tests against New Zealand at home in October-November and a series against Australia away from November 2024 to January 2025. The cycle will culminate with a five-Test series in England between June and August 2025.
Suryakumar Yadav Injury Details And Match Performance
Suryakumar Yadav injury occurred on the third day of the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament match against Tamil Nadu Cricket Association XI. While fielding at leg slip, Suryakumar attempted to stop a flick shot by Pradosh Ranjan Paul off Musheer Khan bowling. The ball struck his hand, causing significant pain and leading to his immediate exit from the field.
The seriousness of the injury is underscored by his failure to return for the rest of the day and his subsequent absence from batting in Mumbai second innings. Mumbai struggled throughout the match, ultimately suffering a heavy defeat by 286 runs.
Suryakumar injury is particularly concerning as he was slated to participate in the Duleep Trophy 2024, an important tournament for his bid to rejoin India Test squad. Currently, there has been no official update from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) regarding the extent of his injury, leaving his participation in the Duleep Trophy and potential return to the Test team uncertain.
Suryakumar Yadav Ambitions To Make A Comeback In Test Cricket
Suryakumar Yadav celebrated for his explosive performances in T20 cricket, has recently reaffirmed his desire to excel in the Test format. Despite his standout success in T20 internationals, where he is recognized as one of the world premier batters, his impact in ODIs has been relatively modest. Suryakumar sole Test appearance was against Australia in February 2023, where he scored just eight runs. This experience has fueled his determination to establish himself in Test cricket and showcase his skills in the longer format.
Suryakumar was selected for the upcoming Duleep Trophy. where he is a key player in Team C, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad. The Duleep Trophy is crucial for players like Suryakumar. who are striving to make a mark in first-class cricket and push for a spot in the Indian Test team. his recent hand injury, sustained during the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament, casts doubt on his availability for this important tournament. His absence could significantly impact his team, as well as his personal quest to secure a Test spot.
India Test schedule over the next few months is packed, with around ten matches lined up, including series against Bangladesh, New Zealand and a challenging away series against Australia. Suryakumar performance in the Duleep Trophy will be closely monitored, as it represents a key opportunity for him to demonstrate his readiness and potential for a Test comeback.
Given the competitive nature of the Indian squad and the high stakes involved, Suryakumar ability to recover from his injury and perform well in the Duleep Trophy will be critical. A strong showing could significantly enhance his chances of rejoining the Test team and making a substantial contribution in the upcoming matches. The coming weeks will be pivotal for Suryakumar as he aims to turn his ambitions into reality and establish himself as a versatile player across all formats.
