Hardik Pandya To Miss 2-3 Games; Scheduled To Get Fit Till NED Clash - Reports
Pandya got injured against Bangladesh on October, 19 (AP Photo)
Premier India all-rounder Hardik Pandya is unlikely to recover in time for the team's forthcoming ICC World Cup 2023 league-stage encounter against England in Lucknow on October 29, according to a report by PTI.
Pandya, who hurt his ankle while playing against Bangladesh in Pune last week, is still undergoing a rehabilitation programme at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore.
The 30-year-old is currently under the care and treatment of a specialist. Even though the initial signs in his recovery are positive, contrary to the Indian team's hopes, Pandya is highly unlikely to be available for the next 2-3 games of the campaign.
"Hardik is still under medication," an NCA source privy to the development told PTI. "While the swelling on his left ankle has subsided considerably, he will start bowling only towards the weekend. Right now, important is to give him time to recover."
Hardik Pandya unavailable for next 2-3 games
Pandya had hurt his ankle after slipping badly during a fielding save off his own bowling in Bangladesh's first-innings batting effort in Pune.
The premier India all-rounder, in whose absence the team's playing combination and the luxury to field six bowlers goes for a complete toss, was trying to interrupt an on-drive by Bangladesh opener Tanzir Hasan when he stretched his right leg too much and went down awkwardly,
The player was seen in excruciating pain as he limped off the field and couldn't even complete his over, not taking the field for the rest of the league game versus the Bangla Tigers.
Travelling to Bangalore instead for recuperation work, Pandya didn't go to Dharamshala with the squad for the following game against New Zealand on Sunday (October 22).
At that point, the team management would've hoped to have their critical cog back in time for the England clash. However, reports now suggest Pandya is unlikely to play until the fag end of the league stage.
"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. The team wants him fully fit for the knock-out stage," a BCCI source said.
 "Kashish Chadha")
