India are at the top of the points table with 10 points from 5 matches.
Hardik Pandya, who picked up an ankle injury during India's World Cup 2023 clash against Bangladesh in Pune, and as a result missed out against New Zealand in Dharamsala, is now likely to also miss the team's next match against England in Lucknow on October 29.
Though the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had stated in a medical update that Hardik will link up with the Indian team in Lucknow ahead of the match, a report now claims that India will take precautionary route of not rushing him back.
“Yes, Hardik is likely to miss the next match vs England in Lucknow. It is more of a precaution at this stage and nothing serious,” an unnamed BCCI official told CricketNext.
The nature of the injury is not serious but Hardik is an extremely important member of the side and with India already having won its first five matches, the team management seems reluctant to rush his return and risk aggravation of the injury. Hardik is now expected to link up with the team in Mumbai ahead of the Sri Lanka tie on November 2.
Hardik seemed to twist his ankle on his third delivery against Bangladesh, while trying to stop a boundary, with Virat Kohli bowling the remaining three deliveries of the over.
The all-rounder's absence was filled by Suryakumar Yadav and Mohammad Shami against New Zealand, with the latter taking five wickets. India is likely to retain the same combination against England, and will leave for Lucknow on Wednesday after spending two days in Dharamsala.
(With Cricketnext inputs)