Hardik Pandya, who missed out on India’s World Cup 2023 clash against New Zealand in Dharamsala due to an ankle injury, is likely to miss more games in the marquee event.
In fact, a report published in TOI claims that Pandya’s participation in the remainder of the tournament has come under jeopardy as the all-rounder is suspected to have a Grade 1 ligament tear in his ankle, which he sustained while fielding during the match against Bangladesh in Pune on October 19.
"The medical team under Nitin Patel is monitoring him at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. But the injury looks a bit more serious than what was first perceived. It looks like he has suffered a minor ligament tear which usually takes at least two weeks to heal. The NCA will not release him before his injury heals. The medical team has communicated to the team management that they are hopeful of putting him back on the pitch soon," a BCCI source told TOI.
"The team doesn't want to bring in a replacement. It's ready to wait for Pandya," he added.
According to the report, the Indian team management is against rushing Hardik Pandya back into the squad.
The multi-skilled cricketer is unlikely to be available for India's next fixture against England in Lucknow on October 29. Moreover, his availability for the matches against Sri Lanka and South Africa in the first week of November is also uncertain.
"The team is currently comfortably placed in the tournament. Hardik will most likely stay back at NCA to do his rehab rather than travel with the team right now. The current situation is such that a call on Hardik's involvement for the rest of the tournament will be taken next week. His return to play will have to be carefully charted. His fragile foundation makes the recovery longer than a lot of other players who have greater muscle mass. If need be, he is ready to take injections and play in the business end of the tournament. Anyway, if Hardik isn't bowling at full tilt, it doesn't really make such a big difference to the composition," the source said.
In Hardik’s absence, India are likely to go with the same combination they fielded versus New Zealand. While Suryakumar Yadav is expected to bat at No. 6, Mohammad Shami seems certain to play as a leading pacer after his five-wicket haul against the Kiwis.
(With TOI Inputs)
