Hardik Pandya, the star all-rounder for Team India, is said to have started training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. The Indian think tank wants him to be totally healthy for the ICC One-Day International World Cup knockouts, which begin on November 15.
Pandya injured his left ankle ligament bowling against Bangladesh in Pune. Subsequently, he sat out India’s games against New Zealand and England.
Though his return date remains uncertain, he’s started training and is on the path to getting better.
“Hardik Pandya has already had a couple of net sessions at the NCA, is under constant supervision of the BCCI medical team and looking good,” a source told News18.
According to the report, management does not want to hurry Hardik Pandya back for the remaining group-stage games. They prefer that he be prepared for the semi-finals and finals.
“It will be difficult to put a date on return at this stage but signs are encouraging and India’s unbeaten run has certainly allowed him more time to recover and be ready for the knockouts,” the source added.
Rohit Sharma’s team has three matches left. The first one is against Sri Lanka in Mumbai on November 2. Then, they head to Kolkata to play against South Africa on November 5.
The last group match for India is in Bengaluru against the Netherlands on November 12. There, Hardik Pandya might join the team again.
Hardik Pandya’s Injury Update Expected in couple of Days, Says India’s Bowling Coach
Paras Mhambrey, Team India’s bowling coach, indicated that they had yet to receive an update on Hardik Pandya’s injury situation. He did, however, claim that the entire management is in communication with the NCA and Pandya.
“The medical team is looking at that and are very much in touch with Hardik and the NCA [National Cricket Academy] as well,” Mhambrey told reporters after India’s sixth consecutive win. “We’re hoping to get an update in a couple of days. But we’ll see.”
Paras Mhambrey
In his three complete games at the current World Cup, Hardik Pandya has taken five wickets. As India looks to win their third ODI World Cup, he will hopefully return later in the competition and contribute in some way.
