India's T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, is set to return to action in Mumbai's upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) match against Andhra on December 3, following a two-week hiatus for a family event. He is expected to participate in the rest of the tournament and later join the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy, which begins on December 21.
Despite his return, Suryakumar is unlikely to resume captaincy duties for Mumbai in the SMAT. Shreyas Iyer, who has led the team so far, is anticipated to retain the leadership role. Sources suggest that Suryakumar is content with this arrangement and is prepared to bat in any position deemed necessary by the team management.
Fresh off leading India to a commanding 3-1 series victory over South Africa, Suryakumar will reunite with the Mumbai squad in Hyderabad on Monday. He is slated to play in the next game as Mumbai looks to improve its standing in Group E. Currently fourth in the group, Mumbai has secured two wins from three matches and has two league games remaining, including a Sunday clash against Nagaland.
The ongoing SMAT has witnessed several top players in action following their T20I commitments in South Africa. Notable names like Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Varun Chakravarthy have added star power to the competition. Before heading to South Africa, Suryakumar also participated in a round of the Ranji Trophy in October, showcasing his commitment to domestic cricket.
As the Mumbai squad aims for a strong finish in the SMAT, Suryakumar's return is sure to bolster their campaign.