Struggling to regain their momentum after suffering three consecutive defeats, Mumbai Indians received a much-needed morale boost on Friday with the return of Suryakumar Yadav to the squad, adding depth to their batting lineup. Making his presence felt at the Wankhede Stadium, Suryakumar joined his fellow teammates for an intense practice session in preparation for their upcoming match against Delhi Capitals on Sunday.
Arriving early at the stadium, the seasoned middle-order batsman spent nearly an hour honing his skills in the nets, showcasing his trademark shots with precision and finesse across the entire ground.
After his extensive batting session, Suryakumar diligently engaged in various training drills and mobility exercises before catching up with his teammates. He also seized the opportunity to discuss strategies with Mark Boucher, the head coach, and Kieron Pollard, the batting coach, during the practice session. Having successfully recovered from a sports hernia surgery conducted in Munich, Germany, the 33-year-old Mumbai batsman was deemed fit for action by the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
Renowned for his exceptional T20 batting prowess and his ability to execute shots from all angles, Suryakumar had last participated in competitive cricket during the T20I series of India's tour to South Africa in December 2023. Despite sustaining an ankle injury while fielding in the third T20I at Johannesburg, where he notched up a brilliant century off just 56 deliveries, Suryakumar played a pivotal role in India's series victory under his leadership.
Following his remarkable performance, Suryakumar underwent surgery for a sports hernia in Munich, Germany, on January 17, subsequently sidelining him from action. His return to the Mumbai Indians squad comes as a significant boost, particularly with the team yet to secure a win in the competition under the leadership of Hardik Pandya.
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