India's star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has resumed training following an injury he sustained at the ODI World Cup 2023. Hardik Pandya hurt his ankle in an attempt to field the ball during an ODI World Cup match against Bangladesh. As a result of the injury, he was sidelined for rest of the tournament and subsequently missed the series against Australia, South Africa, and Afghanistan. Pandya is set to make his return to the field in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, where he will captain the Mumbai Indians as he replaced Rohit Sharma from helm of late.
Hardik Pandya shared a video on his official 'X' handle, showcasing his return to practice following an injury recovery. In the video, Pandya can be seen tonking big sixes during practice. Notably, he didn't bowl as he focused entirely on batting.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE…
Hardik Pandya vs Rohit Sharma?
Before making his comeback on the cricket field in the IPL 2024, Hardik Pandya has been in the news for a speculated disagreement with Indian captain Rohit Sharma. Following the IPL 2024 auction, Mumbai Indians (MI) appointed Hardik as the new captain, taking over from Rohit.
In a significant move, MI reacquired all-rounder Hardik through a trade with Gujarat Titans, securing him for a hefty sum of INR 15 crore. This decision led MI to release Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, who was subsequently snapped up by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
This change in leadership within MI, coming just before the IPL season, has fueled rumors of a discord between Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming tournament.
Hardik will be India's vice-captain in T20 World Cup
Hardik has proven his mettle as the captain of India's T20I team in the past. He will also be seen in Rohit Sharma's deputy role in the T20 World Cup 2024.
Mumbai Indians have played a pivotal role in Hardik Pandya's development as a cricketer. At the IPL 2015 auction, MI picked Pandya for just INR 10 lakh. His all-round performance soon proved to be a valuable asset for the team, and his IPL success led to his selection for the Indian national team in early 2016.
After being released by the five-time IPL champions in 2021, Hardik was picked up by Gujarat Titans, where he was entrusted with the captaincy. Under his leadership, the team clinched the IPL title in their debut season and reached the finals again in 2023. With Hardik's return to MI, the team's management is confident in his leadership abilities and believes they can clinch the trophy once again.
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