Hardik Pandya May Miss 2-3 More World Cup Matches Due to Ankle Injury
25 October 2023
India’s star all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, is expected to remain sidelined for a few more matches due to an ankle injury. He missed the clash against New Zealand after sustaining the injury and is likely to sit out of India’s next two World Cup matches as he continues his recovery. The injury occurred when Pandya slipped in his follow-through while playing against Bangladesh in Pune on October 19. Although he reported to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for injury management, it appears that he won’t be able to join the team in Lucknow for the match against England as previously suggested by the BCCI.
According to an NCA source, Hardik Pandya is still undergoing medical treatment, and while the swelling on his left ankle has reduced significantly, he is expected to start bowling towards the weekend. The focus is on giving him the necessary time to fully recover. Since India has performed exceptionally well in the tournament, having won all five matches, there’s a strong likelihood that Pandya will be rested for the next two matches to ensure his complete recovery for the knockout stage.
A BCCI source added that Pandya has suffered a severe sprain but fortunately not a fracture. The medical team of BCCI is taking maximum precautions to ensure his fitness. He is expected to miss the next two to three matches, with the team’s priority being his readiness for the knockout stage.
In Pandya’s absence, players like Suryakumar Yadav and Mohammed Shami stepped into the playing XI against New Zealand. It’s likely that they will retain their places in the team for the upcoming matches against England and Sri Lanka. India is in a strong position to advance to the semifinals of the tournament.
