Hardik Pandya, the dynamic all-rounder for India and the new skipper for Mumbai Indians, is on the path to recovery from his ankle injury. Reliable sources from TOI indicate that Pandya is gearing up to lead India in the three T20I clashes against Afghanistan starting January 11 and is also eyeing a spot in the upcoming IPL season.
“He has completely recovered from his ankle injury. He has been training every day,” insiders stated, underscoring Pandya’s commitment to returning to full fitness. Initial concerns had arisen about his prolonged absence, which could have kept him out of action even for IPL 2024. The high stakes around Pandya were evident when Mumbai Indians secured him from Gujarat Titans for a substantial Rs 15 crore in a recent trade.
The ankle ailment had sidelined Pandya during India’s 2023 ODI World Cup encounter against Bangladesh. This injury also meant he missed the rest of the tournament and India’s subsequent tour of South Africa. Nevertheless, there’s a positive outlook regarding his readiness for both the IPL and the potential T20Is against Afghanistan.
Social media updates from Pandya recently displayed his dedication through gym workouts and moments spent with his son, Agastya.
BCCI officials echoed this positive sentiment. BCCI secretary, Jay Shah, hinted at Pandya’s imminent comeback, stating, “We are monitoring it (Pandya’s fitness) on a day-to-day basis. He is at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) only. He is working very hard.”
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To new beginnings. Good luck, #CaptainPandya 💙 pic.twitter.com/qRH9ABz1PY
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) December 15, 2023
In a contrasting scenario, Suryakumar Yadav faces a setback due to an ankle injury he sustained during a T20I against South Africa. Insiders indicate that Yadav will need “six to seven weeks to recover from his ankle injury,” sidelining him from the Afghanistan series. This unforeseen circumstance may compel selectors to consider alternatives for captaincy, possibly turning to Rohit Sharma or Ravindra Jadeja as potential stand-ins.
Furthermore, Ruturaj Gaikwad’s injury, a broken finger, adds another layer of complexity to India’s preparations. With key players like Yadav and possibly Pandya unavailable, India’s squad might need to navigate these challenges strategically in the upcoming series.
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