(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] India all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who sustained a left ankle injury in the 17th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 against Bangladesh, which took place on October 19 in Pune, is all set to begin his light training from this weekend, according to a report by KhelNow.
Pandya missed the match against New Zealand in Dharamsala and will also miss at least a couple of more games against England on October 29 and Sri Lanka on November 2.
Earlier, in the press statement released by BCCI, it was mentioned that Pandya would not be available for the match against the Black Caps but would join the team in Lucknow ahead of the clash versus England. The initial plan was scratched as the injury took more time to heal, and it is now expected that Pandya will join the rest of his teammates most probably in Kolkata, where India is scheduled to play their penultimate league match of the World Cup 2023 against South Africa.
If a KhelNow report is anything to go by “Pandya is scheduled to commence light training this weekend at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).”
Furthermore, the report mentions that the BCCI had considered playing Pandya in the XI with the help of injections. But the board has withdrawn the initial decision and has come to the conclusion of letting Pandya heal naturally as India have almost confirmed their spot in the semi-finals.
“The BCCI also had an option to play Hardik Pandya in the fixtures with injections, but the board has decided to let the all-rounder heal naturally. Since India have already set one foot on the semi-finals with five consecutive wins and 10 points in the table, BCCI has decided to give Pandya enough time to recover naturally. Pandya is set to miss India’s next games,” the report further read.