Suryakumar Yadav out of Afghanistan series with ankle injury, Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan unlikely to play as well

Team India will be locking horns against Afghanistan for the three-match T20I series, which is all set to take place on January 11. Notably, the current team is in South Africa, where the visitors levelled up the T20I series before clinching the ODI series by 2-1 on December 21 at Boland Park in Paarl. However, the side is gearing up for the two matches of the Test series slated to commence on December 26 in Centurion.

According to reports, star batter Suryakumar Yadav is not fit to play the upcoming series against Afghanistan due to the injuries sustained in the third T20I against South Africa. Moreover, the middle-order batter is unlikely to play the Test series against England as well. Meanwhile, the 33-year-old cricketer is set to feature in the Ranji Trophy game.

“Suryakumar Yadav has reported to NCA for rehab work and the Medical Science team as of now has ruled him injured. He won’t be able to play against Afghanistan which starts in three weeks’ time. Since he is unlikely to be selected for Tests, he will possibly play for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy in February to check his fitness before playing in the IPL,” an Indian Cricket Board source told PTI on condition of anonymity.

There is no update on Hardik Pandya’s fitness status as of now: Report

Meanwhile, there is no update on Hardik Pandya’s injury, as well as a big question about his availability ahead of the IPL. Moreover, Ishan Kishan is also unlikely to be a part of the Test game, while Jitesh Sharma will be the wicketkeeping option.

“There is no update on Hardik’s fitness status as of now and one can say there remains a big question mark of him being available before the end of IPL. The BCCI respects a player’s privacy and no one will ask Kishan the reason why he decided to skip the Tests. May be once KL Rahul was announced as a keeper in Tests, he didn’t want to hang around,” the statement read further.