Star All-Rounder Hardik Pandya likely to miss few World Cup matches; after-injury return delayed; Report

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• Oct 25, 2023 | Poonam Nath

Hardik Pandya injured his ankle while attempting to stop a ball on his own bowling, he's expected to miss further games...

Digital Desk: Hardik Pandya, India's star all-rounder, is expected to return later than expected as he recovers from an injury suffered in a World Cup match against Bangladesh. Pandya fills an important void as a player in the Indian team, suffered an ankle injury while bowling against Bangladesh on October 19. 

The 30-year-old was ruled out of the match against New Zealand and was scheduled to join the team in Lucknow, where India will face England.

However, according to a PTI report, his return will be put on hold, and he will most likely miss the next two to three tournament matches. India's next two matches are against England (on October 29) and Sri Lanka (on November 2). 

The Men in Blue will play South Africa on November 5 before finishing the season against the Netherlands on November 12. Pandya has yet to resume bowling following his injury.

Notably, a BCCI insider revealed Pandya's injury status and possible comeback to activity. "Pandya has a severe sprain but thankfully no fracture." 

The BCCI medical team wishes to take all possible measures. "He will most likely miss the next two to three games. The squad wants him to be totally healthy for the knockout stage," according to the source.

The Men in Blue are the only unbeaten team in the tournament and have a chance to advance to the semifinals. They have won five of their five games and have a total of ten points in the competition. 

Given India's domination in the flagship tournament, resting Pandya for a few games would not be a foolish option. This could allow him to be at full strength for the final league games and knockouts (depending on if India advances).