Mumbai Indians suffer big blow before IPL 2022, star player likely to miss opening match

New Delhi, Mar 15 (PTI) Star batter Suryakumar Yav might have to sit out of Mumbai Indians' IPL opener against Delhi Capitals on March 27 as he is unlikely to fully recover from a hairline fracture on his thumb. Yav, one of four players retained by Mumbai Indians, sustained injury during T20 series against West Indies and subsequently missed assignment against Sri Lanka.

"Surya is currently at NCA doing his rehabilitation. He is well on his way to recovery but re is a possibility that his participation in opening game will be a real touch and go affair," a senior BCCI source privy to developments told PTI on conditions of anonymity. "So re could be a possibility that he might be vised by board's medical team to not risk playing opener," he ded.

For MI, Yav is most important batter apart from skipper Rohit Sharma and ir Rs 15.25 crore 'buy-back' Ishan Kishan. Hence, re is no way that even MI team management would take any risk as y have a larger picture to look at.

MI have a five-day gap after ir first game and y next play Rajasthan Royals on April 2. It is believed that 360 degree power-hitter will be good to go by n.

"I think by second MI game, he would be 100 per cent match fit. It is likely to be more of a precautionary measure if he doesn't play first game," source ded. Yav was in fantastic form during T20 series against West Indies where he won 'Player of Series' award.