World Cup 2023: Injured Hardik Pandya Likely to Miss 2 More Matches

Star Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya is expected to miss the upcoming World Cup matches against England on October 29 and Sri Lanka on November 2 due to an ongoing ankle injury sustained during a game against Bangladesh on October 19.

Pandya is currently undergoing treatment for a left ankle sprain at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. He has not yet resumed bowling in the nets as he aims for a return in the later stages of the World Cup. The injury occurred during the game against Bangladesh while he was attempting to stop a shot off his own bowling, forcing him to leave the field after bowling only three deliveries.

Following the injury, Pandya did not travel with the rest of the Indian team to Dharamsala for their match against New Zealand on October 22. Instead, he arrived at the NCA in Bengaluru to receive treatment and medical monitoring.

Contrary to earlier statements by the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI), it now appears that Pandya will not join the team in Lucknow ahead of their match against England. The team management is opting for caution, prioritizing his complete recovery before returning to action.

According to sources, Pandya’s ankle injury, fortunately, is not a fracture but a significant sprain. The BCCI medical team is taking every precaution, and Pandya is likely to miss the next two to three matches. The team’s objective is to have him fully fit for the knockout stage.

In Pandya’s absence during the game against New Zealand, India replaced him with Mohammed Shami and Suryakumar Yadav, omitting Shardul Thakur from the XI. Shami made a notable impact by securing a 5-wicket haul in his first World Cup 2023 appearance.

As of now, India leads the World Cup 2023 points table with a flawless record of five wins from five matches and is on course to secure a spot in the semi-finals.