In more troubling news for the Indian cricket team, ace all-rounder Hardik Pandya is likely to miss more matches due to the injury that he suffered during the World Cup match against Bangladesh. Latest media reports say that Pandya has ligament tear of grade 1 category. The cricketer had suffered sprain in ankle while fielding his own delivery during the October 19 game. While initial reports had said that he had simple sprain, the latest news report that Pandya has ligament tear, which is more serious than a sprain. At present, Pandya is at the National Cricket Academy located in Bengaluru. He is being closely monitored by a team headed by Nitin Patel.
Multiple reports say that neither the BCCI nor the Indian cricket team is interested in rushing Pandya back in the World Cup squad. The all-rounder, who has suffered several injuries through his career, is currently at the NCA rehab while the Rohit Sharma-led squad has reached Lucknow for the game against current world cup winners England. An IE report said that Pandya will miss out matches against England and is likely to be available for the last of the league matches against South Africa and the Netherlands. The Indian cricket team would want to wait for its vice-captain in the crucial phase of the World Cup later. India is at the top of the points table as of now.
Pandya was absent from the match against New Zealand in Dharamsala on October 22. He was promptly taken to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for treatment by a specialist doctor from England who administered the necessary injections. Originally, there were expectations of Pandya rejoining the Indian team in Lucknow, but that assessment has since changed. During the match, the medium pacer sustained an injury while attempting to stop a drive from Bangladesh’s Liton Das using his right foot. The game was paused for approximately five minutes as the physiotherapist applied a strap to his ankle. Pandya plays a crucial role in the team due to his exceptional skills at the highest level, including his proficiency with deceptive bouncers, the ability to deliver unexpected heavy balls, and his knack for hitting boundaries, which all contribute significantly to the team’s overall balance.