Suryakumar Yadav ruled out of Afghanistan series, Hardik Pandya doubtful as well

Suryakumar Yadav is set to miss the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan, commencing on January 11, due to an ankle injury. The 31-year-old sustained the injury during India's recent series against South Africa, where he twisted his ankle while fielding in Johannesburg. Medical evaluations have raised concerns about a possible tear, which could necessitate a recovery period of up to six weeks.

A BCCI source, speaking to PTI on the condition of anonymity, revealed, "Surya has reported to NCA for rehab work and the Medical Science team has deemed him injured. He's out of the Afghanistan series starting in three weeks. As he's not expected to feature in Tests, we anticipate his return for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy come February, ahead of the IPL."

Furthermore, there are doubts about Hardik Pandya's availability for the series, as his recovery from an ankle injury seems uncertain. "There's no new update on Hardik's fitness, and his participation before the IPL remains a major doubt," added the source.

With both Suryakumar and Hardik sidelined, the selectors may consider asking Rohit Sharma to captain the team. Alternatively, they might look to Ravindra Jadeja as a temporary leader for the series. However, Jadeja's involvement in all five Tests against England means his workload will need careful management.

The team also faces another setback as Asian Games skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who suffered a broken finger, is ruled out of the series.

In the wicketkeeping department, Jitesh Sharma is expected to take over duties against Afghanistan. Ishan Kishan, who recently withdrew from the South Africa Tests citing "personal reasons," may not be available. His absence could be linked to prioritizing mental health after a year of continuous cricket.

A BCCI official commented on Kishan's decision, stating, "The BCCI respects a player's privacy, and no one will probe into Kishan's reasons for skipping the Tests. It's possible that after Rahul's announcement as the Test keeper, he preferred not to stay on. The inconsistency in selection can indeed be taxing."

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