ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey provides update on Hardik Pandya ahead of next match

Published at :October 30, 2023 at 7:33 PM

Modified at :October 30, 2023 at 7:34 PM

Hardik Pandya has missed India's last two matches in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

India suffered a massive blow when Hardik Pandya suffered an ankle injury in a game against Bangladesh in Pune that looked like a twisted ankle, but later it was confirmed through scans that it was a ligament tear, which would put him away from the game for at least 7–10 days. It was a huge setback for the team because Hardik Pandya is an important member in both departments.

His availability on the team provides stability with the bat and the ball, and he has been performing well in the last few months. Though India have won both games against New Zealand and England in his absence, but Hardik has been one player that India will hope to get into the lineup as soon as possible.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Bowling coach Paras Mhambrey hints about the return of Hardik Pandya

Team India are scheduled to play their next game in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 against Sri Lanka on November 2 (Thursday) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The team is hopeful that the all-rounder can recover in time and make a return to the side. Meanwhile, after the win against England on Sunday in Lucknow, India's bowling coach Paras Mhambrey provided an important update about the recovery of Hardik Pandya during the post-match presentation.

He said, "The medical team is looking at that and are very much in touch with Hardik and the NCA [National Cricket Academy] as well. We're hoping to get an update in a couple of days. But we'll see." Notably, to fill the role of the all-rounder, India had to make two changes in the playing XI. They have gone with Mohammed Shami and Suryakumar Yadav.

However, these two changes have benefited India. Shami has taken nine wickets in just two games, and SKY played a game-changing innings of 49 runs in the game against England that helped India reach a fighting total. With six wins out of six, India are comfortably reaching the semifinals, which gives them a cushion, and they are not looking to rush the all-rounder. After the game against Sri Lanka, India will face South Africa on November 5 in Kolkata.