Hardik Pandya was not in the Indian squad against New Zealand match due to his injury. Now he is likely to miss more two games against Sri Lanka and South Africa in ICC ODI World Cup 2023. According to sources, Hardik is suspected to have a Grade 1 ligament tear in his ankle. Hardik got injured against Bangladesh match. Then he was taken to the National Cricket Academy, Bengaluru to recover.
In Bangladesh match, Hardik injured himself at the time of bowling his first and India’s 9th over. Hardik tried to stop Litton Das’s straight drive on his follow through. But unfortunately his ankle got twisted. Physio came in field. But Hardik was really in pain. He did not continue his over. He had to leave the field. Virat Kohli finished that remaining over. The all-rounder was taken for scans in the hospital. After the game against Bangladesh Rohit Sharma said, “There’s no major damage. That is good for us. But honestly, with an injury like that, you’ve got to assess every day. So we just hope that he pulls up well tomorrow morning. And then we will assess, whatever is required for us to do as a team, we’ll do that.”
Preliminary BCCI said, “Hardik will not be taking the flight to Dharamsala with the team on 20th October and will now join the team directly in Lucknow where India play England.” BCCI also said, “He is advised rest and will be under the constant supervision of the BCCI medical team.” Then Hardik was taken to the National Cricket Academy, Bengaluru. But Hardik is likely to be unavailable for India’s next game against England in Lucknow on October 29. The Indian team has reached Lucknow on Wednesday. But His availability for the next two matches against Sri Lanka and South Africa in the first week of November is also doubtful.
According to sources, Hardik is suspected to have a Grade 1 ligament tear in his ankle which he suffered while trying to field off his own bowling during the match against Bangladesh in Pune. The sources also said, The medical team under Nitin Patel is monitoring Hardik at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). But the injury looks a bit more serious than anticipated. Doctors are assuming, he has suffered a minor ligament tear. This types of injury usually takes at least two weeks to heal. So, most probably Hardik Pandya will miss another couple of games in World Cup 2023.