New Delhi: When Suryakumar Yadav was diagnosed with a lower right abdomen injury towards the end of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in June, fears of his unavailability in the Asia Cup 2025 grew among the Indian fans. After all, recovery from a sports hernia surgery is not swift but a time-consuming process. Team India’s T20 skipper was always facing a race against time to be fully fit for the continental tournament in the UAE, starting on September 09.
Two months after the surgery and a fortnight ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, Suryakumar has opened up about his injury setback and the post-surgery six-week rehab. Fully fit and ready to lead India in the marquee tournament, Surya said that the forced break from injury and rehab was a chance to return to his “best version” ahead of the continental showpiece tournament.
The 34-year-old swashbuckling batter underwent a sports hernia surgery in Munich before taking part in a rehab at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Surya gives a detailed account of his recovery
“I’m feeling good right now. It’s been five to six weeks. A good process, good routines for last six weeks and fingers crossed, feeling really well,” Suryakumar said in a video posted by the BCCI on Tuesday.
“…most important thing during a rehab phase is to have good people around you who will guide you really well and that’s what I did from last two-three years whenever I was in rehab. I saw it as an opportunity to come back as the best version of myself.
“If I was here for six weeks, eight weeks or 12 weeks, I could take that one week at a time, prepare myself mentally that way and just use the facility and stay in that moment and move in the right direction.” Recalling the time when he first understood the gravity of his injury, Suryakumar said it was a problem quite similar to the one he had experienced in the past.
“It actually got diagnosed close to the end of IPL. I felt it because I had the similar kind of injury last year as well and that’s how I got to know. So a few checklists were there,” said Suryakumar, who had an ankle surgery in 2023 and underwent another sports hernia procedure in early 2024.
“I tried those things and then I realised that it’s time to go and do a small MRI. When I did it, it was very clear in that. I did it post IPL, went to Germany.
“It went really well how it went last year and I knew how the recovery is going to be step by step. So I was prepared for everything. So we took one week at a time and we are here and I’m feeling good.” Talking about his structured rehabilitation and the support at CoE, Suryakumar said: “I think the most important thing for me is when you come here at COE or when I was here at NCA last year as well, they understood how my body reacts to certain situations.
“So all the strength and conditioning coach and the physios, they understood how my body works and accordingly they planned all the workouts. As soon as I used to hit the gym and I came here, they would plan the sessions and that’s how we took one week at a time and slowly but steadily we are here.” The India skipper also gave a big thumbs up to the facilities at the CoE.
“I think firstly it’s very massive. The place is huge. Let me talk about the gym first. I think more than 30-35 people can train here together,” he said.
“I actually used most of the equipment here. Some new equipment which are actually very useful from athletes point of view. Not only for a rehab but if someone, any contracted player or a targeted player wants to come here for few weeks, train, use the ground and everything.
“Unbelievable facility and it’s the best that I’ve seen for a really long time.”
From injury ➡️ recovery 💪
Surya Kumar Yadav, who was at the BCCI CoE for the past few weeks, emphasises the importance of structured rehabilitation and dedicated support 👍 👍
He shares the challenges he faced, the systematic approach he followed, and the guidance he received… pic.twitter.com/glyE7ZR5Qp
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 26, 2025
Surya will lead a strong 15-member squad in the Asia Cup. Shubman Gill, who is returning to the T20I squad after more than a year, has been named the vice-captain. India will open their campaign against the hosts UAE, on September 10 and take on arch-rivals Pakistan three days later on September 14.