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Hardik Pandya To Miss Australia T20Is; SKY Or Ruturaj Gaikwad To Captain India: Reports

image-lor7p6xsHardik Pandya injured himself badly during World Cup 2023 (AP Photos)

As per the latest report of the Press Trust of India (PTI), due to his left ankle ligament tear, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, the captain of the Indian T20I team, is unlikely to be fit for India's upcoming five-match series against Australia, scheduled to get underway on November 23.

It is believed that the team for India's home T20I series against Australia will not be revealed until the Men in Blue take the field for the World Cup 2023 semifinal, which is most likely scheduled for November 15 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

A more realistic course of action for Hardik, according to BCCI sources to PTI, would be to get fully fit by the time the South Africa T20 series kicks off in Durban on December 10.


Here’s what the BCCI source told PTI

"There is some time before Hardik can be declared fit and available for selection. It would be more practical for him to try and complete his rehabilitation with a possible 'RTP' (Return To Play) during SA series. It will certainly be the NCA Sports science team's call," a senior BCCI source explained the development to PTI on conditions of anonymity.

Furthermore, it is believed that the team that will play Australia following the World Cup will be captained by either Asian Games gold medalist captain Ruturaj Gaikwad or T20I team captain Suryakumar Yadav. 

Although Surya is participating in the ODI World Cup, the Mumbai Indians star is currently viewed as a two-format white-ball specialist, as mentioned in the report, contrary to veterans like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and the prolific pace unit, which needs to be fresh for the Test series.

"It is an accepted norm that white-ball Indian specialists (especially batters) can play 25-30 games per year across two white-ball formats apart from IPL, fitness permitting. Hence, if Surya himself doesn't ask for rest, he is the favourite to lead the side. If not, Ruturaj is the next best choice," the report added.