Mumbai Indians (MI) fans might have to wait a bit longer to see their star batter Suryakumar Yadav in action as doubts loom over his participation in the first two matches of IPL 2024. The 31-year-old has been sidelined since December last year due to a sports hernia and underwent surgery in January in Germany. Currently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, Yadav’s recovery is on track, but his availability for the initial matches remains uncertain.

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MI is set to kick off their IPL 2024 campaign on Sunday, March 24, against last year’s runners-up, Gujarat Titans. However, according to a BCCI source, the NCA medical team may not clear Yadav to participate in the first two matches.

“Suryakumar Yadav‘s rehabilitation is on track, and he will certainly ‘Return to Play’ in the IPL itself. However, it is still not clear whether the NCA’s Sports Science and Medical Team will give clearance to play in the first two away games against Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad (March 27),” the source revealed.

While there are still 12 days left before MI’s first game, the race against time to regain fitness for the opener against Gujarat Titans seems challenging.

Yadav’s last public appearance was at the pre-wedding functions of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant in Jamnagar, marking his absence from the cricketing scene since then.