Suryakumar Yadav, India's T20I captain, has provided an encouraging fitness update as he prepares for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. After undergoing surgery for a sports hernia in his lower right abdomen in late June, Suryakumar is diligently working on his recovery at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.

The star batter recently shared a video on his Instagram account, showcasing his return to batting in the nets. The video also featured Suryakumar engaging in various exercises and running drills, all crucial components of his rehabilitation program aimed at regaining full match fitness. Expressing his eagerness to return to the field, Suryakumar captioned the video with, "Can't wait to be back doing what I love".

Suryakumar's focus on regaining fitness comes at an opportune time for Team India, with the Asia Cup 2025 scheduled to be held in the UAE from September 9 to 28. The tournament will be played in the T20I format and is considered a crucial preparation ground for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

His recent withdrawal from the Duleep Trophy 2025 underscores his commitment to prioritizing his recovery and ensuring he is in optimal condition for the Asia Cup. Since then, he has been focusing on strength building, mobility training, and regaining match fitness at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.

Suryakumar's return to the nets is a significant step forward in his recovery process. While his participation in the Asia Cup will depend on medical clearance in the coming weeks, the signs are certainly promising. The official squad announcement is expected in the third week of August, and Suryakumar is determined to prove his fitness and secure his place in the team.

The 34-year-old Mumbaikar had a stellar IPL 2025 season, emerging as the leading run-scorer for Mumbai Indians with 717 runs at an impressive average of 65.18 and a strike rate of 167.91. He has been leading India in T20Is since the 2024 tour of Sri Lanka and has enjoyed considerable success in the role.

Beyond his leadership responsibilities, Suryakumar is also on the cusp of achieving several T20I milestones. With 2,598 runs and a strike rate of 167.07, he is just 402 runs away from becoming the first player to score 3,000 T20I runs while maintaining a strike rate above 160.

It is worth noting that Suryakumar has undergone sports hernia surgery before, in January 2024, and also had ankle surgery in December 2023. His current recovery is being carefully monitored, with his workload gradually increasing to ensure he is ready for the Asia Cup.

While some reports suggest that Suryakumar's injury might sideline him for the Asia Cup, the latest updates paint a more optimistic picture. If fit, he is expected to lead the Indian squad in the tournament. However, if he is deemed unfit to lead, Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya are potential candidates to take over the captaincy.