Hardik Pandya set to miss the series against Australia, and South Africa after the World Cup

Indian star all-rounder Hardik Pandya who was already out of the World Cup due to his ankle injury is now expected to be under medical supervision for another two months. He sustained the injury while trying to stop a ball while he was bowling in the match against Bangladesh in the group stage of the World Cup. 

As of now, Pandya is expected to miss the T20I series against Australia which will be hosted by India and also likely to be out for the three T20Is and three ODIs in South Africa. The star all-rounder lost his balance while trying to stop the ball which came off a shot played by Liton Das. Instantly after the incident, he looked in discomfort. He was later taken to the National Cricket Academy for rehabilitation and later after scans was ruled out of the ongoing World Cup. The Indian medical team is yet to decide if Pandya needs surgery for better recovery. 

Two weeks before, Pandya was asked to bowl in the nets with his strength and conditioning coaches looking after him and advising him to increase his speed gradually. The support staff knew his importance in the team and didn’t want him to put much pressure on his ankle. As per reports, Pandya didn’t face many problems in the first three balls he delivered. When he decided to increase his intensity of throwing in the next delivery, he felt a bit of pain in the very next ball. 

Pandya was advised to get another set of scans after he felt pain in the right ankle during the action. 

Pandya had penned down a thoughtful note on his social media handle ‘X’: “Tough to digest the fact that I will miss out on the remaining part of the World Cup. I’ll be with the team, in spirit, cheering them on every ball of every game. Thanks for all the wishes, the love, and the support has been incredible. This team is special and I’m sure we’ll make everyone proud. Love, always, HP”.

Indian team brought in seamer Prasidh Krishna as Pandya’s replacement. The 27-year-old pacer who replaced a star Indian all-rounder, himself came off a long-time injury and has played 17 ODI matches for India and has accumulated 29 wickets.