New Delhi, Aug 26: In what comes as a major boost to India’s T20 campaign, skipper Suryakumar Yadav has declared himself fully fit after weeks of rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.
The 34-year-old, who underwent sports hernia surgery earlier this year, confirmed he is ready to lead India at the Asia Cup beginning September 9 in the UAE.
Suryakumar shared an update on his recovery through a video posted by the BCCI on X, sounding optimistic about his return.
“I’m feeling good right now. It’s been five to six weeks. A good process, good routines for the last six weeks, and fingers crossed, feeling really well,” he said.
Surgery and rehabilitation
The injury, he revealed, had troubled him towards the end of the IPL season. Having suffered a similar problem last year, he underwent an MRI scan after the tournament, which confirmed the diagnosis. Soon after, he travelled to Munich, Germany, for surgery.
Upon returning to India, the captain followed a carefully structured rehabilitation programme at the CoE.
“We took one week at a time. I knew how the recovery was going to be step by step, so I was prepared for everything,” Suryakumar explained.
He credited the support staff at the CoE for their tailored approach in designing his training sessions.
“They understood how my body reacts to certain situations. The strength and conditioning coaches and physios planned workouts instantly based on my needs. Slowly but steadily, we are here,” he added.
The batter also praised the state-of-the-art facilities at the Centre.
“The gym can accommodate 30–35 players training together. Some new equipment was very useful from an athlete’s point of view. I think there are more than 60–70 practice wickets and three grounds. It’s unbelievable—by far the best I’ve seen in a long time,” he noted.
Why his return matters
For India, Suryakumar’s return to full fitness is significant.
The aggressive right-hander has transformed into one of the most destructive batters in the T20 format, particularly since taking up the opener’s role.
In 2024 alone, he has amassed 436 runs in 12 innings at an average of 43.60 and an impressive strike rate of 180.16, with three centuries to his name. His presence not only bolsters India’s top order alongside Shubman Gill but also brings balance to a side that already features the likes of Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav.
The road ahead
India will open their Asia Cup campaign against the UAE on September 10 before clashing with arch-rivals Pakistan on September 14.
Their final group-stage fixture will be against Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi.
With Suryakumar leading from the front, India will be banking on his form and tactical nous to steer them through what promises to be a competitive tournament.
The bigger picture
Suryakumar Yadav’s successful recovery underscores the crucial role of the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in preparing India’s elite cricketers for the rigours of international cricket.
His comeback offers both reassurance and momentum as India eye another Asia Cup crown.
With a packed international calendar ahead, including the T20 World Cup next year, the skipper’s fitness and form could well define how far this team goes in its pursuit of glory.
As the countdown to the Asia Cup begins, India will take heart from their captain’s timely return, both as a run-getter and as a leader who thrives under pressure. Suryakumar’s journey from surgery to full fitness is not just a personal triumph but also a symbol of India’s growing reliance on science-backed rehabilitation at the CoE. (Agencies)
