India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has been ready to National Cricket Academy to play in the final round of the Duleep Trophy 2024-25 which begins in Anantapur on Thursday.
He will replace Sarfaraz Khan in the Abimanyu Easwaran-led India B, who will take on Shreyas Iyer-led India D. Sarfaraz Khan is part of India’s test squad, which takes on Bangladesh in a two-test series starting in Chennai.
Suryakumar has been withdrawn from the squad to nurse a thumb injury. He had complained of some discomfort while gripping the bat after sustaining a blow on his right thumb while fielding at the pre-season Buchi Babu Tournament in Coimbatore.
Suryakumar hasn’t featured in any form of FC cricket since last year’s Duleep Trophy in July. However, prior to the season, Suryakumar had expressed a desire to compete for a spot in India’s Test team.
“There are a lot of people who have worked really hard to earn their place and even I want to earn that spot again,” Suryakumar had said last month.
“I made my debut for India in Tests. After that, I got injured as well. There were a lot of people who got an opportunity and have done well too. They deserve that opportunity right now.
“Going forward, if I have to play, then I will automatically play. That’s not in my control. What’s in my power right now is to play [ongoing tournaments like Buchi Babu and Duleep] and then see what happens.”
“But yes, I’m really looking forward to it. There are ten Test matches lined up [for India this season] and I’m obviously excited for some red-ball fun.”
Suryakumar Yadav will likely to action during the home T20Is against Bangladesh in October, which hints at his unavailability for at least the first round of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 which starts on October 11.
India B had a thumping win over India A and is currently second in the table. An outright win in their final game will give them a chance of clinching the title.
