India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has resumed batting for the first time since undergoing sports hernia surgery in Germany last month. The stylish batter had a session at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru late last week, marking a key milestone in his recovery process.
Currently under the supervision of the BCCI medical team, Suryakumar is recovering from surgery on his lower right abdomen. His workload is being gradually increased, and according to sources, he is on track to return in time for the Asia Cup, which begins on September 9 in the UAE.
Originally, Suryakumar was expected to return during the T20I leg of India’s home series against Bangladesh in late August. However, that tour has now been postponed to 2026, making the Asia Cup his likely comeback event. His rehabilitation is reportedly aligned with this new timeline.
As part of his build-up, Suryakumar is expected to play practice matches and undergo match simulations at the Centre of Excellence during the final phase of his rehab.
Suryakumar’s last competitive outing came in June when he turned out for Triumph Knights Mumbai North East in the Mumbai T20 League, scoring 122 runs in four innings. He was also under consideration for a place in the West Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy, but he is now likely to miss that tournament as he continues his recovery.
The Asia Cup will be Suryakumar's first multi-nation tournament as India’s T20I captain, having taken over the role from Rohit Sharma after India’s triumph at the 2024 T20 World Cup.
India’s squad is expected to fly to the UAE in early September, and while the West Zone side plays its Duleep Trophy semi-final on September 4, Suryakumar is likely to prioritise national duties.
The Asia Cup will also serve as a critical part of India's preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup, which they will co-host with Sri Lanka. With his leadership skills and explosive batting, Suryakumar remains a central figure in India’s white-ball plans.