(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] India star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is reportedly set to miss another two games of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, against England and Sri Lanka.
Pandya is dealing with an ankle injury that he sustained in the match against Bangladesh last week in Pune, forcing him to skip the fixture against New Zealand in Dharamsala, which took place on Sunday.
It was earlier expected that he would rejoin the team after receiving medical treatment at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore ahead of the clash against England, scheduled on October 29 in Lucknow. However, according to several reports, Pandya will miss at least another two World Cup matches.
The reports also mentioned that the 30-year-old has not bowled in practice since he picked up the injury. He is completing his rehab and is expected to join Team India in Mumbai or Kolkata, and will most probably be available for the last two league stage matches versus South Africa and the Netherlands.
In the absence of Pandya, Mohammed Shami got the chance to play his first match of the World Cup 2023 against the Black Caps in which the pacer seized the opportunity with both hands. Shami took five wickets in 10 overs, conceding 54 runs. India eventually ended up on the winning side as the Men in Blue chased down the target of 274 runs at the loss of six wickets in the 48th over.