The Indian cricket team suffered a major blow ahead of their encounter against England in Lucknow on October 29 as star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is set to miss two more matches following an ankle injury.
Pandya twisted his knee during India’s match against Bangladesh on October 19 in Pune and missed India’s important round match against New Zealand on October 22 in Dharamshala but the Blues sure didn’t miss the all-rounder as they were able to register a comfortable four-wicket win, their fifth consecutive in the World Cup.
The 30-year-old all-rounder is under treatment at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and is yet to start bowling in nets.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Jay Shah, confirmed that Pandya is set to miss India’s next two matches against England and Sri Lanka.
“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 to rest. He will be under the constant supervision of the BCCI Medical Team,” Jay Shah said.
As per Jay Shah, Pandya would be fit to face the high-flying South Africa on November 5 in Kolkata but if India win their next two matches against England and Sri Lanka, they will have already qualified for the semi-final with 14 points before facing the Proteas.
In the absence of Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav is set to play as a specialist batter. He also played against New Zealand but got unlucky as he lost his wicket for just two runs after getting run out following a misunderstanding with Virat Kohli.
Despite being in flawless form, India would need Pandya in the later stages of the tournament as he is one of the most important players for Rohit Sharma’s side as contributes equally with the bat as well as the ball.
India is the only unbeaten team in the tournament with five out of five wins under their belt.
- Hardik Pandya