Hardik Pandya Returns to Competitive Cricket After Long Injury Layoff

Mumbai: Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya has made his long-awaited return to the cricket field. Pandya, sidelined since an ankle injury during the World Cup last year, led the Reliance 1 team in the DY Patil T20 Cup.

The injury forced Pandya to miss the T20I series against Australia, the South Africa tour, and the ongoing Afghanistan series. However, he is expected to be fully fit for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, where he will lead the Mumbai Indians in their quest for a sixth IPL title.

Leading a team featuring talented youngsters like Tilak Verma, Nehal Wadhera, Akash Madhwal, and Piyush Chawla, Pandya’s performance in the DY Patil T20 Cup could be a glimpse into the Mumbai Indians’ potential lineup for the IPL.

While Pandya gears up for the IPL, Rohit Sharma will be leading the Indian team in their pursuit of the T20 World Cup title, scheduled for June in the West Indies and USA.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah expressed optimism about India’s chances in the World Cup under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, stating, “We may have lost the 2023 final, but we won hearts by winning 10 consecutive matches. I am confident India will lift the 2024 T20 World Cup under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy in Barbados.”