India's star batter out of team due to sports hernia; Might miss some IPL matches too

Suryakumar Yadav is currently the number-ranked T20 batter in the world and is one of India's premier batters in the T20I setup. An unfortunate injury during the T20I series in South Africa led to an unforeseen break to his India stint.

However, the swashbuckling T20I batter was expected to return to cricket in the IPL but a recent report by Times of India on SKY's injury has revealed that the batter is suffering from 'Sports Hernia' and is expected to miss cricket for more time than expected and might go on to miss some initial IPL matches too. It is news that has left Indian cricket fans in suspense and concern as the 2024 T20I is just some months away and SKY is an integral part of India's T20 setup.

After getting injured in South Africa, Suryakumar Yadav went to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru and received the diagnosis of a sports hernia. The severity of the condition necessitates immediate attention, prompting Yadav to make plans for treatment in Munich, Germany.

The impact of Yadav's health concerns extends beyond the international stage. With his unavailability for Mumbai, the team faces a significant setback in this year's Ranji Trophy. Additionally, his absence from the early matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) raises questions about Mumbai Indians' future.

What is Sports Hernia about?

Sports hernias usually entail a stretching or rupture of a muscle, ligament, or tendon. These injuries commonly manifest in the lower abdominal region and are more prevalent among athletes, especially those engaged in sports such as football, wrestling, or ice hockey. The affliction is closely linked to the groin area.

Parallel with KL Rahul's Experience

Yadav's situation draws parallels with the sports hernia episode of star Indian wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul in mid-2022. Examining Rahul's recovery timeline provides insights into the challenges Yadav may encounter on his road to recuperation.

With the T20 World Cup scheduled for June 2024, Yadav's health setback could result in more uncertainty in the already opaque team selection process. Yadav's absence in the T20 series against Afghanistan raises concerns about the Indian team's performance, considering his pivotal role and impact in the shortest format of the game.

Pace bowler Mohammed Shami is anticipated to be absent from the initial two Test matches against England, commencing on January 25, as he has not yet resumed bowling following his ankle injury. According to a recent update, Shami will go to NCA and prove his fitness there before being considered for the last three tests against England.