How Hardik Pandya's mistake ruled him out of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

Hardik Pandya injured his ankle during the ODI World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh in Pune.

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya will make his much-awaited return to competitive cricket when he takes the field for the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The Indian all-rounder last played an international game in a ODI World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh in Pune.

Featuring in India’s fourth match of the World Cup 2023 against Bangladesh in Pune, Hardik injured his ankle while trying to save one of Liton Das’ drive off his own bowling.

After that, Indian physio walked in to attend Pandya, but Pandya walked out of the field and later it was revealed that he would no longer take part in the match. However, India won the match by seven wickets.

Pandya’s absence partially unsettled the team balance during the World Cup 2023, and it was also seen during the heartbreaking defeat to Australia in the grand final by six wickets at the Narendra Modi International Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19.

Will come back in five days: Hardik Pandya opens up on his ankle injury

Ahead of the 17th edition of the cash-rich league, Pandya has opened up about his ankle injury that ruled him out for several months.

Speaking to Star Sports, Pandya said that he initially told the management that he would return in five days, but then a recurrence came and he had to miss out on the remainder of the tournament.

“I don’t start preparations for a tournament 2-3 months before. The preparation for the World Cup began a year ago. I planned my routines. This was a freak injury. Very few people know that my injury was extended because when I got injured, it was meant to be for 25 days only. But I pushed. I was like, ‘I had come back’. When I left the team, I told them, ‘main 5 din me vaapis aa raha hu’ (I will come back in five days),” Pandya revealed.

“I got injections done on my ankles at three different places, I had to remove blood from my ankle because the swelling became that much. In a way, I didn’t want to give up. At one point, I was aware if I might keep pushing, I might be away for a long time. If there was a 1 percent chance of being with the team, I would,” Pandya added.

The star all-rounder further said that he was doing all sorts of efforts to get fit on time and play the World Cup 2023. Eventually, Pandya missed the T20I series against Australia last year, the white-ball series against South Africa in December 2023. Pandya also missed T20I series against Afghanistan earlier this year.

“When I was pushing, I had a recurrence where my injury extended to three months. I wasn’t able to walk, but I was even trying to run. I was on painkillers, I was trying to make a comeback. The biggest pride for me is to play for the country, and the World Cup at home was my baby. I missed out on that, and it is something that is going to be heavy on the heart,” said Pandya.

The all-rounder will make his return to competitive cricket, where he will lead MI in the IPL 2024. His side will play its campaign opener against the Gujarat Titans (GT) on March 24 at the Narendra Modi International Cricket Stadium.

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