ICC CWC 2023: Hardik Pandya doubtful to return before Group stages conclude

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya is poised to sit out of two more World Cup matches against Sri Lanka and South Africa. This extended absence is due to his ongoing recovery from an ankle injury he suffered while playing against Bangladesh.

Since his last game on October 19, Pandya has been sidelined. It appears that the Indian team is in no hurry to rush his return and will likely wait until at least the final match of the league stages, which is scheduled against the Netherlands on November 12.

Hardik Pandya has a confirmed injury with damaged ligaments.

He is doubtful for the next 3 matches against England, Sri Lanka, and South Africa in the World Cup 2023.#TeamIndia #CWC23 #HardikPandya pic.twitter.com/dIBbv2bvgD

— Ishan Joshi (@ishanjoshii) October 26, 2023

The injury occurred during a game against Bangladesh in Pune while Pandya was bowling. It seemed like he twisted his ankle while trying to stop a shot with his right foot during his follow-through. His participation in that match was abruptly halted, and he had to undergo scans.

This injury also ruled Hardik Pandya out of India’s subsequent match against New Zealand in Dharamsala. Even though there were hopes of his quick return for the October 29 game against England in Lucknow, he was unable to play due to a ligament injury.

Mohd Shami, who took 31 wickets in 11 matches in the 2015 and 2019 WCs wasn't in our playing 11 in the 2023 World Cup until an injury to Hardik Pandya meant we had to readjust.

5/54 vs New Zealand and 4/22 vs England.

40 wickets in 13 World Cup matches. What a bowler! pic.twitter.com/18rFeuvMMA

— Zucker Doctor (@DoctorLFC) October 29, 2023

Pandya has since been diligently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru and is expected to take his time to recover fully. In Pandya’s absence, India chose to bring in Suryakumar Yadav as a replacement all-rounder and replaced Shardul Thakur with Mohammed Shami for the match against New Zealand. Suryakumar contributed 2 runs, but Shami, in his first appearance in this World Cup, managed to take five wickets, playing a key role in India’s effort to keep New Zealand’s score below 300.

Following the impressive victory against England, India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey stated that the medical team has been in constant contact with Pandya and the National Cricket Academy. They are hoping to receive an update on his fitness in the “next couple of days.”

India currently sits at the top of the points table and is the only unbeaten team in the tournament, having won all six of their matches. Their upcoming matches include Sri Lanka in Mumbai on November 2, followed by a game against South Africa in Kolkata. The league stage will conclude with India facing the Netherlands in Bengaluru.