Star Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya's return will reportedly get more delayed as he continues to recover from his injury that he sustained in a World Cup game against Bangladesh. Pandya, who fills a major hole in the Indian team, suffered an ankle injury off his own bowling in the India vs Bangladesh clash on October 19. The 30-year-old was ruled out of the New Zealand clash and was expected to join the team in Lucknow, where India play against England.
However, according to a report in PTI, the return will be delayed and he is likely to sit out from the upcoming two to three clashes in the tournament. India take on England (on October 29) and Sri Lanka (on November 2) in their next two matches. The Men in Blue will take on South Africa on November 5 before the last league game against the Netherlands on November 12. Pandya has not started bowling after suffering the injury.
"Hardik is still under medication. While the swelling on his left ankle has subsided considerably, he will start bowling only towards the weekend. Right now, important is to give him time to recover," an NCA source told PTI.
Notably, a BCCI source opened up on Pandya's injury status and his potential return to action. "Pandya has suffered a bad sprain but fortunately not a fracture. The BCCI medical team wants to take maximum precautions. He is likely to miss the next two to three matches. The team wants him fully fit for the knock-out stage," the source said.
Earlier BCCI had provided an update on Pandya. The Indian board had stated that Pandya is advised to rest after being taken for scans. "Team India vice-captain Hardik Pandya sustained an injury to his left ankle while fielding on his own bowling during India’s match against Bangladesh at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune. The all-rounder was taken for scans and is advised rest. He will be under the constant supervision of the BCCI Medical Team," BCCI said in a release on October 20.
The Men in Blue have one foot in the semifinals and are the only unbeaten team in the tournament. They have clinched five out of five games and have 10 points in the tournament so far. Considering, India's dominance in the marquee event, it would not be a naive decision to rest Pandya for a few games. This could allow him to be in full tilt for the final league games and the knockouts (depending on if India reach there).
