Suryakumar Yadav fit to play in Duleep Trophy, likely to join India C

The Duleep Trophy has witnessed significant changes within the respective squads ahead of the second round of matches. The conclusion of the first round was followed by the BCCI announcing the India squad for the first Test against Bangladesh. Effectively, the players selected for Bangladesh Tour of India are set to leave their respective Duleep Trophy teams. Subsequently, replacements have been for the players leaving for IND vs BAN preparatory camp starting on September 12 in Chennai. With all the developments regarding the domestic tournament, India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav is set to feature in the Duleep Trophy.

Suryakumar Yadav recovers from thumb injury, expected to play Duleep trophy second round match

Suryakumar Yadav was named in the India C squad for the red-ball tournament. With his hopes to break into the Indian Test team, Yadav marked his presence in the domestic games, which is now the primary criteria for Indian team selection. Playing in one such tournament, Yadav picked up an injury that ruled him out of the Duleep Trophy first round matches. The Indian skipper played in the Buchi Babu Trophy where he sustained a sprain in his right thumb in the match against TNCA XI. Consequently, just ahead off the Duleep Trophy start, Yadav was forced to sit out of the domestic series.

However, now with the second round of matches scheduled to start from September 12, Yadav has reportedly recovered from his injury. Surya attended every day of the India A vs India B fixture at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. He was spotted engaging in extensive conversations with several of his India teammates and being his energetic self in the dugout,  Currently, Surya is expected to join the latter part of the Duleep Trophy, though it remains uncertain if he will be available for the second round, beginning on Thursday, September 12.

Notably, the BCCI has not appointed any replacements for Surya in the India C squad, indicating they anticipate his participation from the second round. When Surya takes part in India C's upcoming match against India B, it will mark his return to red-ball cricket after over 14 months. His last red-ball appearance was also in the Duleep Trophy last year. Despite being handed his Test cap during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia last year, an injury prevented him from continuing in the series beyond the first Test. Regardless, Suryakumar Yadav is in the clear to lead the team in the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh which follows the 2-match Test series.