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Hardik Pandya (Source: Twitter)
Team India will continue to miss the services of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya in the 2023 ODI World Cup. The vice-captain is currently recovering from an ankle injury that he picked up during the match against Bangladesh in Pune on October 19. Reports suggest that Pandya will not feature in India's upcoming matches against England and Sri Lanka.
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The 30-year-old had to leave India's game against Bangladesh midway at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium. According to The Indian Expres, he was rushed to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru to be treated by a specialist doctor. Pandya has not yet started training and he is expected to join the Indian team in Mumbai or Kolkata, the report says.
While the injury is not believed to be a serious one, the management is reluctant to rush the return of the fast-bowling all-rounder as a precautionary measure. “Yes, Hardik is likely to miss the next match vs England in Lucknow. It is more of a precaution at this stage and nothing serious," CricketNext quoted an Indian Cricket Board official as saying.
Pandya was unavailable for Sunday's match against New Zealand, in which India secured a historic win by four wickets in Dharamsala. Latest reports suggest that he will be available only for India's last two World Cup League matches against South Africa on November 5 and the Netherlands on November 12.
Squad looks good even without Pandya: Wasim Akram
After India ended their losing streak against New Zealand in the major international tournament, former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram feels the team is good even without Pandya. In the all-rounder's absence, India had to make two changes - bringing in Suryakumar Yadav and Mohammed Shami. While Suryakumar had to return after being run out, Shami won the Player of the Match for his brilliant five-wicket haul.
"This squad looks good even without Pandya. If he is fit then well and good. It will be difficult to drop Shami now. I feel India shouldn't risk Pandya (against England) because if it's an injury to a hamstring or quad, then although you feel good initially, you could pull a muscle in the match. So let him recover 100 percent and then you can play him," said Akram.
Here's how fans reacted:
Management is not taking any risk, thats good, he should be completely fine before the Semi Final and Final.
— Statistics of Cricket (@onlycricstats) October 25, 2023
Praying for speedy recovery.
South Africa Ain't Ready For Pandya Magic 🔥
— deepfekzehar (@deepfuk_zehar) October 25, 2023
Sky would be smiling on the corner!!!
— Naveen (@nawinaugusto) October 25, 2023
Glad he’ll be back soon we need him 🙌🏽
— RAHUL TALWAR 🇮🇳 🇺🇸 (@Thesailor33) October 25, 2023
Good News, India can manage without him for 2 matches as we are comfortably sitting at the top now.
— Piyush Cricket (@kayptalks) October 25, 2023
Hardik bhai semi se phle theek ho jana🙏🏻🙏🏻
— Secular Chad (@SachabhartiyaRW) October 25, 2023
Hardik Pandya's availability for the World Cup from the South Africa game is a positive development for the Indian team, despite potentially missing the England and Sri Lanka matches. 🇮🇳🏏
— SaleeM (@CallMeSaleeM109) October 25, 2023
Good news and bad news together
— Ankit Verma (@TechyWicket) October 25, 2023
That's some good news. Hardik Pandya is backbone
— Satya Prakash (@Satya_Prakash08) October 25, 2023
Two more trial matches for SKY then.
— Ajitdeep (@CHAIHOLIC_) October 25, 2023