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Team India’s T20I skipper, Suryakumar Yadav, who led the side in 4-1 series win against Australia at home and a series draw against South Africa in the rainbow nation, is likely to miss the upcoming Afghanistan serie s. India is scheduled to host Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series, starting January 11, 2024.
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The Indian batter is struggling with an ankle injury. The 33-year-old twisted his ankle while fielding against South Africa in Johannesburg and it is being reported that he could have suffered a Grade 2 tear. “Surya has reported to NCA for rehab work and the Medical Science team as of now has ruled him injured. He won’t be able to play against Afghanistan which starts in three weeks' time. Since he is unlikely to be selected for Tests, he will possibly play for Mumbai in Ranji Trophy in February to check his fitness before playing in the IPL,” a BCCI source informed PTI.
Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya is also likely to miss the Afghanistan series after he injured himself during the ODI World Cup 2023 in India. “There is no update on Hardik’s fitness status as of now and one can say there remains a big question mark of him being available before the end of IPL,” the source further added.
Furthermore, Gaikwad, who is nursing a finger injury is also likely to sit out of the Afghan series. In absence of several key players, Jitesh Sharma is likely to keep the wickets. This update comes after Ishan Kishan opted out of the South Africa Test series due to “personal reasons”. “The BCCI respects a player’s privacy and no one will ask Kishan the reason why he decided to skip the Tests. May be once Rahul was announced as a keeper in Tests, he didn’t want to hang around. It does take a toll, if you are not picked consistently,” the source was quoted.
Devisha Shetty shares video of SKY with pneumatic walker boot
Notably, Suryakumar Yadav’s wife, Devisha Shetty shared an Instagram story of SKY feeding birds, wearing a pneumatic walker boot amid ankle injury. SKY, who opted for rest after the white-ball leg of the South Africa tour, is currently spending some time off the field.
