Hardik Pandya's Asia Cup injury makes him doubtful for India's Australia tour: Report

Hardik Pandya is doubtful for Australia tour [Source: AFP]

In a massive setback for India, ace all-rounder Hardik Pandya is doubtful for India's upcoming tour of Australia. Pandya sustained an injury which kept him out of the Asia Cup final, and it is expected that the talismanic player will miss out on selection for the Australia white-ball tour as well. 

Pandya's injury is serious; India star advised rest

Hardik Pandya was ruled out of the Asia Cup final following the injury he sustained during India's final Super Four match against Sri Lanka. While Suryakumar Yadav revealed that Pandya had a niggle, Abhishek Tripathi from Dainik Jagran has reported that the experienced campaigner has sustained a quadriceps injury. 

The report states that Pandya has been advised four weeks of rest and might not be picked in the Indian squad for the Australia tour, which starts on October 19. 

It's worth mentioning that the Indian team will take on Australia in three ODIs before a five-match T20I series between the two sides. While Pandya is highly doubtful for the ODI series, the selectors might bring him back later for the T20Is, provided he receives fitness clearance in time. 

Pandya, who opened the bowling for India in the Asia Cup, bagged four wickets across six matches in the tournament. The all-rounder blew hot and cold with the bat in the multinational event, scoring 48 runs, including three single-digit scores, at a modest strike rate of 120. 

That said, Hardik Pandya's absence could prove costly for India Down Under, considering his experience and past heroics. Besides chipping in with crucial overs, Pandya is India's first-choice finisher across both white-ball formats. It will be interesting to see which players the BCCI selection committee picks as the all-rounders if Pandya fails to make it into the Indian squad. 

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