India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been recovering from the quadriceps injury that he sustained before the Asia Cup final against Pakistan. He has been spending his time at BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru and is expected to soon be back in action. According to a report by The Times of India, Hardik is likely to make his international return during at some point during India's white-ball series against South Africa.
India's schedule against South Africa
Notably, the Men in Blue are set to play a three-match ODI and five-match T20I series against South Africa. The one-day assignment will be played first and will commence from November 30. Hardik, who has been out of action for little over a month now, had sustained the injury during India's clash against Sri Lanka in Super 4 of the Asia Cup. He only bowled one over during the Sri Lankan innings before he was taken back to the dressing room and nevre returned to the pitch again.
Hardik not only missed the all-important final against Pakistan, but was also not chosen in India's squad for the white-ball tour of Australia. However, he can return to action in the upcoming home series against South Africa.
“After a holiday break, Hardik reported to the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Nov 21. He will be at the CoE for a month. He has started his gym sessions and should be back in action during the white-ball series against South Africa at some point," a BCCI source told TOI.
Hardik's absence has been felt
Hardik was duly missed by the Indian team in the ODI series against Australia. Due to his absence, the team management decided to drop star spinner Kuldeep Yadav from the playing XI to maintain batting depth. But, this move didn'ty prove to be favourable for the Men in Blue as they ended up losing the first two matches and were eventually defeated in the series by 2-1.
Meanwhile, it now remains to be seen how India will tackle Hardik's absence in the T20I series against Australia. The first match in Canberra ended up being abandoned due to persistent rain and both teams will be hoping to get a positive result in the second game that will take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.