Major Blow for India as Suryakumar Yadav Sidelined with Grade-II Ankle Tear

In a significant setback to India’s preparations for the 2024 T20 World Cup, Suryakumar Yadav is facing the possibility of a seven-week absence due to an ankle injury. Suryakumar, who recently served as India’s stand-in captain in the T20I series against Australia and South Africa, is said to have sustained a Grade-II tear in his ankle.

The Indian Express reported that Suryakumar’s ankle was subjected to a scan upon his return from South Africa, where he had twisted his ankle during the third T20I in Johannesburg. The severity of the injury will force him to sit out the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, the only remaining matches for India in the T20 format before the T20 World Cup. It is noteworthy that players will still be active in the Indian Premier League (IPL) before the marquee tournament hosted by the West Indies and the USA.

The incident occurred during the third over of the South African innings when Suryakumar, who had earlier scored a century in the same match, rolled his ankle while fielding. Despite being assisted off the field by physios, India went on to win the game by a significant 106-run margin, with Suryakumar earning the Player of the Match award for his outstanding century. Post-match, he downplayed the injury, stating, “I am good. I am able to walk, so it is not that serious.”

Suryakumar had taken up the captaincy role in the absence of Hardik Pandya, who was recovering from an ankle injury sustained in India’s 2023 World Cup match against Bangladesh. There is currently no clarity on whether Pandya will be fit in time for the series against Afghanistan, scheduled to commence on January 11.