Star batter Suryakumar Yadav is certain to miss Mumbai Indians’ IPL opener against Gujarat Titans on March 24 as he is yet to get fitness clearance from the National Cricket Academy (NCA). The world No 1 T20 batter Suryakumar has been stationed at the NCA in Bengaluru for his recovery and rehabilitation following a surgery for sports hernia. Suryakumar, who has been out of action since December, had a fitness test at the NCA on Tuesday but PTI understands that the 33-year-old needs “further assessment”. His participation in the subsequent matches for Mumbai Indians — against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 27, Rajasthan Royals on April 1 and Delhi Capitals on April 7 — would be determined at a later stage.

Suryakumar on Tuesday posted a cryptic message on his Instagram page conveying a ‘heartbreak’.

Mumbai Indians, meanwhile, are occupied with closed-door practice games here at the Wankhede Stadium.

Earlier, Suryakumar took to social media to post a cryptic image that has left fans worried ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.

Suryakumar posted a ‘broken heart’ emoji in his Instagram story.

He had underwent a groin surgery in February. This was the second surgery he had in recent months after the one for an ankle injury.

“I want to thank everyone for their concerns and well wishes for my health, and I am happy to tell you all that I will be back very soon,” he said in a post on X after the surgery.

Suryakumar led the Indian T20I team for the three-match series in South Africa in Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya’s absence. He scored 56 off 36 balls in the second T20I in Gqeberha and 100 off 56 balls in the third T20I in Johannesburg.

He was not part of India’s ODI squad for the three-match series in South Africa. Yadav was also unavailable for selection for home series at home against Afghanistan due to injury.

While speaking at Mumbai Indians’ pre-season press conference, head coach Mark Boucher opened up on Suryakumar Yadav’s injury and said that the team management is currently waiting for updates from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

“We are awaiting updates on Suryakumar from the BCCI. We have always been under a cloud of fitness issues but we have a world-class medical team. We may lose one or two in terms of fitness but we have to move on as is sport,” Boucher said.

(With agency inputs)