All-rounder Hardik Pandya is almost certain to miss the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan after suffering a leg injury during their training here
According to reports, Hardik felt a strain in his right leg earlier this week during his sessions at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence here in Bengaluru. His injury has raised questions of his availability for international cricket in the near future and it is believed he won’t be available to feature in the series starting this weekend at Dharamsala.
The Indian selectors had included captain Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya in the ODI squad subject to fitness clearance after getting both of them fully fit from their injuries. The pair had been due to join the remainder of the squad in Chandigarh at the end of a one-off Test with Afghanistan.
Though the BCCI is yet to officially announce Hardik’s withdrawal, board secretary Devajit Saikia had multiple times earlier announced about the all-rounder being at the Centre of Excellence serving a rehab. India has a ready solution in the form of Nitish Kumar Reddy, who is already a part of the squad in case Hardik’s unavailability for the World Cup is confirmed.
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In the past few years, Hardik has had a career often interrupted by injury concerns. After suffering from back spasms, he only played 10 out of Mumbai Indians’ 14 matches this IPL season. He made it back for the final game of the campaign but already both he and those working for him have placed managing his workload as a high priority.
Hardik is seen as a key part of the think tank’s vision for at least a decade given that next year will see an ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Selectors had already rested him from the T20I setup to keep his fitness intact for ODIs, though he was experienced in India’s victorious T20 World Cups.
Meanwhile, in a bid to not overload Hardik ahead of the ODI World Cup, chief selector Ajit Agarkar on called it an ’emotional decision’, saying that the board’s main aim is to keep Hardik fit for ODI cricket. The method mirrors on India’s bigger gameplan to ensure that one of its most impactful match-winners is kept fit for major events ahead.
At this stage, India seems likely to head into the Afghanistan series without one of its most exciting all-rounders for now as it seeks only a temporary halt in fortune.