Breaking: Hardik Pandya to miss two more games due to injury; likely to be fit for last two league games from November 5

The medium pacer had limped off during bowling after putting his right foot to stop a drive from Bangladesh’s Liton Das.

Hardik Pandya picked up an injury against Bangladesh

India's bowler Hardik Pandya attempts to stop the ball during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 match between India and Bangladesh, at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. (PTI)

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India will continue to miss the services of Hardik Pandya as it’s now learnt that the Indian all-rounder will only be available for the last two World Cup league games against South Africa, on November 5, and Netherlands. Pandya is unlikely to join the team ahead of the game against England in Lucknow.

The Indian Express understands that Pandya hasn’t begun to bowl after he had injured his ankle during India vs Bangladesh game held in Pune last week. The medical team will wait for a few more days to let him recover at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore. He is expected to join the Indian team in Mumbai or Kolkata.

The Indian team management doesn’t want to rush him and are hoping he will be completely fit for the last two games. With the Indian team on a winning streak in this World Cup, the team management wants a completely fit Pandya for the semis.

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Pandya had missed the game against New Zealand in Dharamsala on October 22 and was rushed to National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru to be treated by a specialist doctor from England with the required injections. Pandya was initially expected to join the Indian team in Lucknow but that assessment has changed now.

“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 rest. He will be under the constant supervision of the BCCI Medical Team,”BCCI secretary Jay Shah had said in its statement.

The medium pacer had limped off during bowling after putting his right foot to stop a drive from Bangladesh’s Liton Das. Play was stopped for nearly five minutes as the physio strapped his ankle. A vital cog in the wheel, Pandya’s skill set at the highest level – effective with difficult-to-pick-up bouncers, the surprise heavy ball and ability to clear the ropes – makes him vital to the playing XI’s balance.