In what might be said as a significant setback for India, fast is, barring any last-minute change, Hardik Pandya may stay sidelined from India’s much-anticipated tour of Australia. Injured, the talisman Pandya had to miss out on the Asia Cup final, the player is expected to undergo surgery now and will unlikely be around for the Australia white-ball series as well.
Pandya having Serious injury, advised rest
Hardik Pandya was ruled out of the Asia Cup final following the injury sustained during India’s final Super Four match against Sri Lanka. While Suryakumar Yadav mentioned Pandya had some niggle, Dainik Jagran’s Abhishek Tripathi has reported that the glorious campaigner has a quadriceps injury.
The report goes on to say that Pandya has been advised four weeks of rest and may not be picked in the Indian squad for the Australia tour commencing from October 19.
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It is worth mentioning that the Indian team will be taking on Australia in three ODIs before a five-match T20I series between the two sides. While the ODI series is highly doubtful for Pandya, the selectors might look to bring him back later on for the T20Is if he is cleared of fitness by then.
Pandya, who opened the bowling for India in the Asia Cup, picked up four wickets in six matches in the tournament. The all-rounder was inconsistent with the bat throughout the multinational event, accumulating 48 runs at an underwhelming average of 12, including three single-digit scorers, at a mediocre strike rate of 120.
Having that said, Pandya’s absence could prove costly for India Down Under, considering his experience and past heroics. In addition to bowling a few crucial overs, Pandya is India’s first-choice finisher in white-ball cricket. It will be interesting to see which all-rounders the BCCI selection committee chooses if Pandya is unable to make it to the Indian team.
