Suryakumar Yadav, captain of India’s T20I side, has successfully completed the obligatory fitness assessment at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru, facilitating his imminent reintegration before the Asian Cricket Council’s Asia Cup, hosted in the United Arab Emirates.
The 34-year-old batsman had, in June, undergone surgical intervention in Munich, Germany, specifically targeting a sports hernia located in the lower abdominal region.
A senior BCCI official, speaking to the Press Trust of India, indicated that the assessment was a prerequisite to the athlete’s “Return to Play” protocol. “Surya has completed the fitness assessment,” the official declared, thereby dispelling uncertainties surrounding his availability for the continental competition.
Suryakumar, shortly following the surgical procedure, had suggested an expeditious return. On his Instagram channel, he recorded a statement of gratitude, noting, “after a smooth surgery, I’m already on the road to recovery.”
The Asia Cup is scheduled to run from 9 to 28 September in the UAE, with India scheduled to confront Pakistan in Dubai on 14 September. Selectors convene in Mumbai on Tuesday to finalise the squad, with Suryakumar’s inclusion now considered virtually guaranteed.
He’s rejoining the Indian ODI side at the perfect moment—he’s arguably the most dangerous batsman in the world right now. This is hot on the heels of his incredible 2025 IPL season with Mumbai Indians, where he put on a masterclass of relentless power-hitting and massive scoring.
While his final tally of 717 runs, a 65 average, and a 168 strike rate is impressive, the real story was his reliability. In a feat of incredible regularity, he never failed to score less than 25 in a single match.
This unprecedented sequence enabled him to eclipse Sachin Tendulkar’s previous franchise season record and to clinch the tournament’s Most Valuable Player title with notable margin.
At the international level, he has already redefined T20 excellence. Following Rohit Sharma’s retirement after India’s 2024 World Cup campaign, he inherited the T20I captaincy and has since helmed a batting troika that routinely posts totals in excess of 250. His personal ledger features four international centuries, accompanied by an overall strike rate of 167.07.
The pressing inquiry now is whether this IPL supremacy can transfer to the World Cup’s unique crucible. With Pakistan looming in the group stage, his return is shadowed by the maximum conceivable scrutiny.
