India all-rounder Hardik Pandya is set to remain sidelined for more than two months due to an ankle injury sustained while attempting to stop a shot off his own bowling during a World Cup league game against Bangladesh, according to a media report in the leading English daily.
The Indian Express has learned that Pandya will be absent from the upcoming T20I series against Australia at home and is likely to miss both the three T20Is and three ODIs in South Africa as well.
The incident occurred when Pandya lost his balance while trying to halt a shot from Bangladesh's Liton Das, dragging his right boot on the pitch during the process. Following this, he was quickly taken to the National Cricket Academy for rehabilitation and subsequently ruled out of the ongoing World Cup.
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The medical team is currently deliberating on whether Pandya requires surgery to address the ankle injury.
In a recent development, Pandya was instructed to bowl in the nets, gradually increasing his speed, with the support staff cautioning against exerting excessive pressure on his ankle. Initially, he faced no issues in the first three deliveries but experienced pain in his leg during the fourth ball, prompting him to inform the support staff. The NCA medical team then ordered additional scans to assess the extent of the injury.
Expressing his disappointment, Pandya shared a heartfelt message: "Tough to digest the fact that I will miss out on the remaining part of the World Cup. I'll be with the team, in spirit, cheering them on every ball of every game."
As a replacement for Pandya, seamer Prasidh Krishna was approved by the tournament's Event Technical Committee. Krishna, aged 27, is making a comeback after a prolonged injury hiatus and has played 17 ODIs for India, securing 29 wickets.
The setback poses a challenge for India as they navigate the upcoming series without the services of the dynamic all-rounder.
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