India batter Suryakumar Yadav has been sidelined from the first round of the Duleep Trophy 2024 due to a hand injury, dealing a blow to his ambitions of reclaiming a spot in the Indian Test squad. 

The injury, sustained during the third day of the Buchi Babu contest between Mumbai and TNCA XI, has cast a shadow over his prospects of making an impression in the domestic circuit to push his case for the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh.

Suryakumar’s injury occurred in the midst of his efforts to reintegrate into the red-ball format, where he has struggled to cement a position. The injury, initially considered minor, was managed cautiously during the Buchi Babu match, with hopes that he would be fit for the Duleep Trophy. 

However, the severity of the injury has since escalated, leading to his withdrawal from Team C’s first encounter against Team D in Ananthapur, scheduled for September 5.

Currently undergoing assessment and rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Suryakumar has been advised to rest by the medical team, ruling him out of the opening fixture. This development is particularly unfortunate for the 33-year-old batter, as the Duleep Trophy was seen as a critical platform for him to demonstrate his readiness for Test cricket, especially with the Bangladesh series on the horizon.

Suryakumar Yadav has been vocal about his desire to return to the Test team after a disappointing debut earlier this year. His solitary Test appearance came during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in February 2023, where he managed only eight runs in the Nagpur Test. Since then, he has been eager to show his skills in the longer format, enrolling in both the Buchi Babu Tournament and the Duleep Trophy to prove his mettle.

However, his plans have been derailed by this untimely injury. The Duleep Trophy, which serves as a stepping stone for national selection, was his chance to impress the selectors and secure a spot in the squad for the Bangladesh series. With this setback, Suryakumar’s path to Test cricket has become significantly more challenging.

Even if he regains fitness in time for the Test series, his chances of selection appear slim. The competition for a place in the Indian Test team is fierce, with several players performing consistently in domestic cricket and being ahead in the pecking order. As a result, Suryakumar’s absence from the Duleep Trophy could prove costly, with selectors likely to favour those who have capitalized on their opportunities in the tournament.

The Duleep Trophy, which begins on September 5, features top domestic talent vying for a place in the national team. The first round will see Team A face off against Team B, while Team C, which includes Suryakumar Yadav, was set to play Team D. His absence from the initial matches leaves a gap in Team C’s lineup and could influence the team’s overall performance.

For Suryakumar, the focus will now shift to recovery and perhaps a late return to the tournament if circumstances allow. However, the missed opportunity in the opening round is a significant setback, especially with the Test series against Bangladesh looming large. The injury has come at the worst possible time, and its impact on his Test career ambitions could be profound. 

As he recuperates at the NCA, the cricketing fraternity will be watching closely to see if Suryakumar Yadav can bounce back from this setback and re-establish himself as a contender for a place in India’s Test squad.