Hardik Pandya injured again? All-rounder withdraws from Sri Lanka ODIs due to 'very personal reasons'

The star Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya will miss the upcoming three-match ODI series against the Sri Lanka Cricket Team next month. Some reports claimed that Hardik has some fitness issues, leading him to miss the ODI series, but this is not true.

Well, Pandya, who is already in the news for his alleged divorce with wife Natasa Stankovic, will reportedly skip the ODI series after leading the Indian cricket team in the upcoming three-match T20I series on the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.

Hardik Pandya takes a break from Sri Lanka ODIs due to personal reasons

A Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) official confirmed that Pandya has requested a break due to personal reasons, and even the all-rounder has informed regular skipper Rohit Sharma, who will also miss the ODIs in Sri Lanka, about the same in advance.

The BCCI source was quoted as saying by PTI: “The break from ODIs is for very personal reasons. Hardik doesn't have any fitness issues, as is being floated in the media.”

Notably, Hardik and Natasa’s marriage is in trouble, with the couple reportedly living separately for a while now. The Indian cricketer tied the knot with Natasa on May 31, 2020, in a private ceremony. The couple welcomed their first child, Agastya, on July 30 of the same year.

Even so, they celebrated their third wedding anniversary with a vow renewal ceremony in Udaipur on Valentine's Day in 2023. Well, the couple has not seen each other for a long time now, and they kept tight lips on the rumors of their divorce. Now, the actor-model is heading to Serbia.

Hardik was recently seen with the social media influencer Prachi Solanki at his home, where she posed with the Pandya brothers and their pet, along with Krunal’s wife Pankhuri. After the pictures went viral on social media, Natasa posted on Instagram, “Love everything, but don’t lose the Lord.”

Hardik Pandya will lead Team India in the T20I series against Sri Lanka

Meanwhile, the senior BCCI official also confirmed that Pandya will lead the Indian cricket team in the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka. The three T20I matches are scheduled for July 27, 28, and 30, with the ODI leg of the tour beginning on August 2 at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.

The source added, “Hardik Pandya was India's T2O vice-captain under Rohit Sharma. He is completely fit and available for the three-match T20I series and will lead the side.”

Notably, Pandya last played an ODI against Bangladesh in October 2023, during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The star all-rounder had suffered an injury during that group match, and it ruled him out of the remainder of the ODI World Cup 2024, which Team India lost to Australia.

Well, Pandya’s absence will be a golden opportunity for players like Shivam Dube to grab the opportunity and turn heads with their performances to put themselves in contention for a spot in India's ODI lineup. It is being said that the teams for the Sri Lanka tour will be announced on July 16.

Pandya recently played a key role in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 triumph in the USA and West Indies. He contributed immensely with both bat and ball to help India end the drought of the ICC trophy. It was India’s first World Cup win in 13 years and its second T20 World Cup title after 17 years.