Sports: Injury Woes for Team India: Suryakumar Yadav and Ruturaj Gaikwad Out of T20I Series Against Afghanistan
Mohali, 8th January 2024: India faces a setback ahead of the three-T20I series against Afghanistan, commencing on Thursday in Mohali, with key players Suryakumar Yadav and Ruturaj Gaikwad joining Hardik Pandya on the sidelines. Suryakumar Yadav, who had been leading the team in Pandya’s absence due to an ankle injury in the ICC World Cup, is set to undergo surgery, while Ruturaj Gaikwad’s finger injury may keep him out of the initial part of the upcoming five-Test series against England starting on January 25 in Hyderabad.
Suryakumar Yadav, credited for leading India to T20I series victories over Australia and a draw in South Africa, suffered an ankle injury during the T20I series in Johannesburg. The injury requires surgery, leading to an extended period on the sidelines. Ruturaj Gaikwad, captain of India’s gold medal-winning team in the Hangzhou Asian Games, faces uncertainty for the upcoming Test series against England due to a finger injury.
The absence of both Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya in the T20I series against Afghanistan increases the likelihood of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli making their T20I comeback after more than a year, last playing in the T20 World Cup in November 2022. The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, announced the squad just four days before the series, with matches scheduled in Mohali, Indore, and Bengaluru on January 14, 17, and 20, respectively.
This T20I series holds significant importance for India as they prepare for the T20 World Cup scheduled for June in the Caribbean and the United States. The absence of key players poses challenges for the team, but it also offers an opportunity for others to step up and showcase their skills. Afghanistan’s squad, led by Ibrahim Zadran, includes Rashid Khan, who is set to play despite a recent back surgery. The series promises to be an intriguing battle as both teams gear up for the upcoming global T20 tournament.
