Suryakumar Yadav, the batsman for India and Mumbai Indians, returned to the batting crease for the first time since his surgery in January 2024. He shared a video on his Instagram story showcasing him knocking the ball in the nets as he gears up for the Indian Premier League 2024 season.

Yadav has been absent from competitive cricket since sustaining an ankle injury while fielding in Johannesburg on December 14, 2023, during India’s T20I series against South Africa. This injury unveiled a sports hernia, prolonging his recovery until February 2024, causing him to miss valuable preparation time for the World Cup.

His return to training is a promising sign for Mumbai Indians and fans of the Indian cricket team. With a change in leadership for MI, Yadav’s presence offers stability, especially during the crucial middle overs of the tournament. He aims to gain valuable playing time in IPL 2024 ahead of the T20 World Cup, having showcased exceptional form in his last T20I matches against South Africa, including a fifty and a century.

Yadav boasts impressive statistics in the T20I arena, having amassed 2141 runs at an average of 45.55 and a strike rate of 171.55 in 60 matches since his debut in 2021, including four centuries and seventeen fifties.

Yadav’s Comeback and Pandya’s Leadership Shift: IPL 2024 Dynamics

#MumbaiIndians fans can breathe easy as #SuryakumarYadav returns for batting for first time since surgery.https://t.co/neSlDr1OnE

— India Today Sports (@ITGDsports) March 6, 2024

Hardik Pandya has been appointed as the new captain for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024, succeeding Rohit Sharma, a decision that has sparked mixed opinions within the cricket community. Mumbai Indians justify this move as a significant leadership transition aimed at being “future-ready,” according to Mahela Jayawardene, the team’s former coach and Global Head of Performance.

The decision to change captains had been anticipated since Mumbai Indians secured Hardik Pandya through a historic trade deal during the IPL 2024 auction on December 19. Previously released by MI ahead of IPL 2022, Hardik Pandya successfully led Gujarat Titans, a newly established franchise, to victory in 2022 and the final in 2023 during his first stint as IPL captain.