October 26, 2023
Injury Concerns Loom Over Team India as Hardik Pandya’s Recovery Uncertain
As the World Cup 2023 unfolds, the cricketing world is buzzing with excitement and anticipation. Team India has been a dominant force, remaining unbeaten and leading the table with 10 points and a Net Run Rate of +1.353. However, amidst their stellar performance, concerns have emerged regarding the injury of Hardik Pandya, which could sideline him for more games.
Pandya sustained an ankle injury, suspected to be a Grade 1 ligament tear, while attempting to field off his own bowling during the match against Bangladesh in Pune. Initially, it was believed to be a minor setback. However, the situation seems more serious than previously thought. Nitin Patel at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru is closely monitoring his injury.
Typically, a Grade 1 ligament tear takes at least two weeks to heal. The medical team remains hopeful of his swift recovery but will not rush the process. The team management has expressed its readiness to wait for Pandya’s return rather than bringing in a replacement.
Despite this optimism, it’s highly likely that Pandya will miss the crucial face-off against England on October 29 in Lucknow. Additionally, the report suggests that he may also be unavailable for the matches against Sri Lanka and South Africa in the first week of November.
Pandya’s unique physicality, characterized by a relatively lighter build, may contribute to a longer recovery time compared to players with more muscle mass. The source hinted that Pandya is prepared to take injections if necessary to return to the field during the later stages of the tournament.
Earlier reports had hinted at Pandya’s absence from the game against England as a precautionary measure, downplaying the severity of his condition. However, the situation appears to be more critical than initially indicated.
While Pandya’s absence is a concern, the Indian team is expected to see the return of Ravichandran Ashwin to the playing XI. Ashwin, who was benched for the last four matches, may find himself back in action as the team anticipates a spin-friendly pitch in Lucknow.
On the other hand, Mohammed Shami, who began his World Cup 2023 journey with a stunning five-wicket haul, is likely to retain his place in the playing eleven. As the tournament unfolds, cricket enthusiasts around the globe eagerly await further updates on Pandya’s recovery and the team’s performance in this thrilling World Cup. 🏏🔥 #WorldCup2023 #CricketUpdates #HardikPandya #InjuryUpdate #RavichandranAshwin https://www.sportiwe.com/
