Already being ruled out of the remainder of the IPL 2022, Mumbai Indians and India batter Suryakumar Yadav is likely to be out of action for at least four weeks. Suryakumar, who has suffered a left forearm muscle injury, could miss a few games of next month’s South Africa series. India will play five T20Is against the Proteas at home from June 9 to 19 after the end of IPL on May 29. The batter got hit on his left arm while taking a run during MI’s match against Gujarat Titans on May 6. Next morning he woke up with a swollen arm, which eventually ruled him out from the rest of the ongoing IPL season.

According to sources in the BCCI, Suryakumar, who amassed 309 runs for Mumbai from 8 games which included three half-tons, will be out of action for at least four weeks, a Cricbuzz report said. However, the four weeks’ rest do not necessarily mean that the cricketer will be completely out of the South Africa series. The 31-year-old is one of the vital cogs in the Mumbai Indians’ batting order but he is set to miss the remainder of the season after getting hit on his left arm while taking a run during MI’s match against Gujarat Titans on May 6.

Suryakumar woke up with a swollen arm which restricted him from taking part in the game against the Kolkata Knight Riders on May 9. According to the BCCI sources, Suryakumar is likely to miss a part of the five match T20I series against South Africa as well. The right-hander has become one of the best T20I players going around in India at the moment and he will be a huge miss if he does not make it to the squad for the South Africa series. Mumbai Indians had recently released a statement over the medical condition of Suryakumar and confirmed that he will be ruled out for the rest of the season.

Must Read: Gujarat wins by 62 runs, earns entry in the IPL playoffs!

Suryakumar Yadav doubtful for South Africa series

However, Suryakumar will not be proceeding to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru after the detection of his injury which has been one of the regulations of BCCI for the annual contracted players. “Suryakumar Yadav has sustained a muscle strain on the left forearm, and has been ruled out for the season. He has been advised rest, in consultation with the BCCI medical team,” Mumbai Indians released a statement on May 9 as reported by Cricbuzz. “Suryakumar Yadav has sustained a muscle strain on the left forearm, and has been ruled out for the season. He has been advised to rest, in consultation with the BCCI medical team,” Mumbai Indians said in a statement on Monday.

It has been learnt that the stylish batter has not proceeded to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru after the detection of his injury and will undergo scans on Wednesday in Mumbai. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians is already out of the race for the playoffs for IPL 2022 and hence, they will be looking to test their bench strength in the absence of Suryakumar Yadav. The Mumbaikar scored 303 runs in eight games this season and played some important cameos in the middle order. He is definitely one of the contenders for the T20 World Cup 20222 squad for India and it will be important for him to have some game time before the world cup.

The South Africa series is being seen as crucial to India’s preparation for the T20 World Cup in October-November in Australia and Suryakumar may be conditionally picked, subject to attaining full fitness. However, a lot will depend on when the selection committee meeting takes place. As of now, there is no information on the date of the meeting.