In a major setback for Team India, star allrounder Hardik Pandya will miss the upcoming World Cup match against England due to ligament damage. This unfortunate development follows his recent absence from the tournament as he continues his recovery journey from an ankle injury sustained during a match against Bangladesh in Pune.
While Hardik Pandya’s left ankle has shown significant improvement with reduced swelling, his return to bowling is expected by the weekend. Pandya is currently under medication as part of his recovery plan, as confirmed by a source from the National Cricket Academy.
Should Pandya’s recovery progress stall, and he is unable to participate as a batsman, Suryakumar Yadav is poised to maintain his position in the Playing 11. It’s worth noting that Suryakumar Yadav faced a run-out during India’s recent triumph against New Zealand in Dharamsala.
Considering the pitch conditions at the Ekana Stadium, which have displayed a tendency to favor slower bowlers, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin may once again become a contender for the squad. Ashwin previously played in India’s opening match of the World Cup 2023 against Australia in Chennai.
A fitness test for Hardik Pandya is scheduled for Thursday, with his return date hinging on the medical team’s evaluation.
