IND vs SL: Hardik Pandya To Return To India's Playing 11 vs Sri Lanka? BCCI Official Provides Massive Update On All Rounder's Availability

While Team India are flying high in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, their star allrounder Hardik Pandya is in a race against time to be it for the remaining games.

One of India’s most important players in limited-overs cricket, Hardik Pandya has not played for India since injuring his ankle during the game against Bangladesh on October 19 in Pune. He hurt his ankle while trying to stop a straight drive from Litton Das in his follow-through and fell awkwardly.

He had to leave the field immediately and did not return for the remainder of the game. Virat Kohli had to complete his over by delivering the remaining three bowls. Since then, Hardik Pandya has not played a game and there is still no clarity over his return to action. He is currently at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru for his recovery.

Hardik Pandya likely to be fit for the semifinal:

According to a report in CricketNext, the signs are very encouraging as far as Hardik Pandya’s fitness is concerned. The India star has already had a couple of net sessions at the NCA and is recovering quite well. The report further added Team India are unlikely to rush him back into action as things are going quite well for them in the competition so far.

“Hardik Pandya has already had a couple of net sessions at the NCA, is under constant supervision of the BCCI medical team and looking good,” a source close to the developments told the news outlet.

“It will be difficult to put a date on return at this stage but signs are encouraging and India’s unbeaten run has certainly allowed him more time to recover and be ready for the knockouts,” added the source.

With 6 wins from as many games, India are currently on the top of the points table and is all but assured of a place in the semifinals. They have three more games to play in the league stage – vs Sri Lanka in Mumbai, vs South Africa in Kolkata, vs Netherlands in Bengaluru. The report stated that Hardik Pandya is likely to link up with the team for the final league game in Bengaluru.

“See, no one wants to burden Hardik with travelling at this point. He is already in Bengaluru and could well rejoin the squad there itself. Whether he plays that game or not is too early to say but the Bengaluru link-up is very much on the cards because that game would mean no travel also,” the source said.

Hardik Pandya is likely to be fit for the semifinal. In his absence, India have defeated New Zealand as well as England and would be looking to extend their winning run in the competition.