Suryakumar Yadav will miss the first round of the 2024 Duleep Trophy starting on September 5 due to a hand injury.
Surya injured his right hand while fielding in last week’s Buchi Babu tournament. The T20 captain, who is eager to make a Test comeback, didn’t bat in the second innings of the game against TNCA XI after hurting his hand on the third day. Positioned at leg-slip, Surya had tried to stick out both his hands to stop the ball, but it escaped him. He held in right hand in pain and left the field after the incident.
The game was Surya’s first red-ball match in over a year, with his last multi-day game coming back in July 2023 during the final of the Duleep Trophy.
He is currently in the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru and has been advised rest.
The red-ball comebacks of Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav in the Buchi Babu tournament have not gone to plan ➡️ https://t.co/X8y6oyKksj pic.twitter.com/tzkYUN9ZZP
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) August 28, 2024
He was picked in the India C squad for the Duleep Trophy, which will be led by Ruturaj Gaikwad.
The second round of the tournament will begin on September 12.
Surya aims to make a Test comeback
The 33-year-old, arguably India’s finest T20 batter, has played just one Test - against Australia last year. He made eight in the only innings he batted in and was not picked again.
Surya recently admitted he wanted to earn a Test spot again: “There are a lot of people who have worked really hard to earn their place and even I want to earn that spot again,” he said.
"Going forward, if I have to play, then I will automatically play. That's not in my control. What's 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. There are ten Test matches lined up and I'm obviously excited for some red-ball fun."
India will play two Test against Bangladesh this month, followed by three Tests at home against New Zealand. They will then travel to Australia at the end of the year for a five-match series.
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