October 25, 2023
Indian cricket’s marquee all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, is expected to continue his absence from the field for several more games as he recuperates from an ankle injury sustained last week. Hardik, who was unable to participate in India’s match against New Zealand due to this injury, is likely to sit out of the team’s upcoming two World Cup matches, still in the process of recovery.
The injury occurred when Pandya slipped in his follow-through while playing against Bangladesh in Pune on October 19, causing him to miss the clash against New Zealand in Dharamsala on October 22. Following the injury, the Baroda player reported to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru on Monday for injury management.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had initially hinted that Hardik would travel to Lucknow for India’s forthcoming match against England. However, it now appears that this may not be feasible.
An insider from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) provided insights into Pandya’s condition, stating, “Hardik is still under medication. While the swelling on his left ankle has subsided considerably, he will start bowling only towards the weekend. Right now, it is essential to give him the time needed for a full recovery.”
Considering India’s strong position in the tournament, with victories in all five of their matches so far, the team management might opt to rest Pandya for the next two matches. This strategic move would allow him ample time for complete recuperation before the knockout stage of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
A BCCI source further elaborated, “Pandya has suffered a bad sprain but fortunately not a fracture. The BCCI medical team wants to take maximum precautions. He is likely to miss the next two to three matches, with the team’s primary objective being to ensure his full fitness for the crucial knockout stage.”