Injured India all-rounder Hardik Pandya is expected to be out of action for at least two more months. Pandya had sustained an ankle injury during the India vs Bangladesh game in ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, which ruled him out of action from the showpiece event and will also render him unavailable for the upcoming bilateral cricket series. (ODI World Cup | Cricket News)
Pandya will not be fit in time to play the T20I series at home against Australia in November, and is also likely to be unavailable for three T20Is and three ODIs in South Africa, as per an Indian Express report.
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The 30-year-old all-rounder from Baroda had tried to stop a shot from Bangladesh opener Liton Das off his own bowling in the 2023 ODI World Cup league game, and lost his balance in the process. Pandya ended up dragging his right foot while landing on the pitch. He got up and looked in discomfort as he stood on his haunches.
Pandya was later rushed to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for rehabilitation and then ruled out from the ongoing World Cup. The medical team is yet to take a call on whether Pandya needs a surgery.
The report added that Pandya was asked to bowl in the nets two weeks ago, with strength and conditioning coaches advising him to increase his speed slowly. The support staff did not want him to put too much pressure on his ankle. Pandya apparently didn’t face any problem in the first three balls he bowled, and chose to increase the intensity of his bowling for the next delivery.
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It was during the fourth ball that he felt a bit of pain in his leg, as per the report. Pandya then informed the support staff about the pain he felt on his right ankle. The NCA medical team decided to get another round of scans done.
Upon learning the news that he will not be able to take further part in the 2023 World Cup, Pandya had written a heartfelt message on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). “Tough to digest the fact that I will miss out on the remaining part of the World Cup. I’ll be with the team, in spirit, cheering them on every ball of every game. Thanks for all the wishes, the love, and the support has been incredible. This team is special and I’m sure we’ll make everyone proud. Love, always, HP,” Pandya wrote.
Pacer Prasidh Krishna was approved by the tournament’s event technical committee as Pandya’s replacement. Krishna, 27, who has made a comeback after a long injury layoff himself, has played 17 ODIs for India and has scalped 29 wickets.
