Suryakumar Yadav: From Surgery to Captaincy Ready

India's T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav is back to full fitness and ready to lead his team in next month's Asia Cup, viewing his recent injury setback as a chance to return stronger than ever.

The 34-year-old underwent sports hernia surgery in Munich after being diagnosed with a lower right abdomen issue during the final stages of the IPL in June.

Following the procedure, he completed his rehabilitation at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

"I'm feeling good right now. It's been five to six weeks of good processes and routines, and fingers crossed, I'm feeling really well," Suryakumar said in a video released by the BCCI on Tuesday.

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Turning Setback into Opportunity

The skipper emphasized how crucial it was to maintain the right mindset during recovery. "The most important thing during rehab is having good people around you for guidance.

I've learned this over the past two to three years whenever I've been in rehab—I see it as an opportunity to return as the best version of myself."

His approach focused on patience and consistency. "Whether it's six weeks, eight weeks, or 12 weeks, I take it one week at a time, prepare myself mentally, use the facilities, stay in the moment, and move in the right direction."

Familiar Territory

Suryakumar recognized the injury early due to previous experience. "It got diagnosed close to the end of IPL. I felt it because I had a similar injury last year, so I knew the signs and had a few checklists to work through."

After trying initial treatments, he knew it was time for further investigation. "I realized it was time for an MRI. The results were very clear, so post-IPL, I went to Germany."

Having undergone ankle surgery in 2023 and an earlier sports hernia procedure in early 2024, Suryakumar was well-prepared for the recovery process.

"It went really well, just like last year. I knew the recovery steps, so I was ready for everything. We took one week at a time, and here we are—I'm feeling good."

World-Class Recovery Support

The India captain praised the personalized approach at the Centre of Excellence. "When you come to CoE, they understand how my body reacts to different situations.

The strength and conditioning coaches and physiotherapists know how my body works and plan workouts accordingly."

This tailored approach made all the difference. "As soon as I hit the gym, they would plan sessions based on my needs. That's how we progressed week by week, slowly but steadily."

Impressive Facilities

Suryakumar was thoroughly impressed with the CoE infrastructure. "It's massive—the place is huge. The gym alone can accommodate 30-35 people training together," he noted.

"I used most of the equipment here. Some new pieces are incredibly useful from an athlete's perspective—not just for rehab, but for any contracted or targeted player who wants to come here for training weeks."

He concluded with high praise: "It's an unbelievable facility and the best I've seen in a really long time."

With the Asia Cup beginning September 9 in the UAE, Suryakumar appears ready to lead India's charge, having transformed a challenging injury period into an opportunity for physical and mental strengthening.

Source: sportstar

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