Hardik Pandya set to miss the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan, to be fit for IPL - Reports

Hardik Pandya suffered an ankle injury during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in October.

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya is set to miss India’s final international T20I assignment before the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. ANI reported that Hardik Pandya has not recovered from his ankle injury and will be missing the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan scheduled to be played in mid-January. Pandya is likely to take part in Indian Premier League next year.

India’s limited overs vice-captain Hardik Pandya suffered an injury while playing against Bangladesh in recently concluded ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 league game against Bangladesh. Pandya was attempting to stop a straight drive hit by Litton Das. This injury ruled him out for the entire World Cup and since then he has missed the five-match T20I series against Australia and entire white-ball leg of South Africa tour.

Afghanistan to play three T20Is against India

Afghanistan will be touring India in mid-January to play a three-match T20I series. First T20I will be played at IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on 11th January, while the second will be played in Indore on 14th January and the final game of the series will be played at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on 17th January. India are still unsure about their plans for the ICC T20 World Cup in West Indies.

Hardik Pandya was looked in as leader of the camp for the upcoming mega T20 event, but his injury has kept the team management guessing about the new leaders. Suryakumar Yadav, who was named captain of the Indian T20I squad for last 8 T20I games after the World Cup 2023, also injured himself during the recently concluded T20I series against South Africa and looks doubtful to be available for Afghanistan T20Is.

It is likely that Ravindra Jadeja will be trusted with captaincy against Afghanistan. Jadeja was vice-captain of the side in the three-match T20I series against South Africa. Hardik Pandya was recently announced as skipper of IPL franchise Mumbai Indians replacing Rohit Sharma. Pandya was traded from Gujarat Titans to Mumbai Indians in an all-cash trade deal before the IPL 2024 auction.

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