Suryakumar Yadav’s Aim For Test Return Hits Road Block After Hand Injury, Doubts Over Duleep Trophy Participation

New Delhi: Suryakumar Yadav’s dream of returning to the Test fold after 19 months is in doubt after the India batter injured his right hand while fielding in the ongoing Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament on Friday. The right-hander is also slated to play in the Duleep Trophy starting next along with several other top India cricketers. However, it remains to be seen whether Suryakumar makes the cut in time or not.

Playing for Mumbai Cricket Association against TNCA XI, Suryakumar was fielding in the leg slip during the third innings of the game. Pradosh Ranjan Paul tucked a delivery from Musheer Khan on the leg side as Suryakumar made a diving effort with both hands to stop the ball. But it escaped his grasp, thus injuring his right hand. Suryakumar was immediately attended the medical staff before being taken off the ground. The BCCI is yet to announce anything about Suryakumar’s injury.

With the India vs Bangladesh two-match Test series in line, the selectors have asked the senior players to play in the Duleep Trophy which will play a key role in the selection process. India’s first Test against Bangladesh starts on September 19. Meanwhile, Sarfaraz Khan and Shreyas Iyer, who are also playing in the match alongside Suryakumar, failed with the bat too as Mumbai Cricket Association succumbed to a heavy 286-run loss to TNCA XI.

MCA could only score 156 in reply to TNCA XI’s 379 in the first innings. With a daunting 510 target in the second innings, MCA folded for just 223. TNCA XI’s R Sai Kishore finished the match with eight wickets including a five-wicket haul in the second innings. Iyer, who is also aiming for a Test return, managed just two and 22 in the match. Captain sarfaraz scored six runs in the first innings before being dismissed for a four-ball duck in the second.