India's swashbuckling all-rounder Hardik Pandya is expected to return to action after recovering from an ankle injury he suffered during the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh. Pandya Sports Tak has learned that Pandya is bowling and batting in the nets. Pandya will be available for the selection once he is cleared by the medical team.
After getting ruled out of World Cup 2023, Pandya missed the home T20I series against Australia and the entire tour of South Africa. If Pandya recovers, he will be playing in the three-T20I series at home against Afghanistan starting from January 11, 2024.
In Pandya’s absence, Suryakumar Yadav took over the T20I captaincy. He started well as India beat Australia 4-1 in the five-T20I series. He was named captain for the South Africa T20I series as well. After the first T20I in Durban was washed out, India were beaten by the Aiden Markram-led home side as per DLS method in a rain-curtailed affair.
Earlier, Sports Tak had also reported that Rohit Sharma was asked to lead the side in the T20I series. However, he had requested a break after India’s loss to Australia in the World Cup 2023 final in Ahmedabad.
Pandya who led India in T20Is after Rohit-led India were knocked out of the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia by England. In Pandya's captaincy, India won 10 out of 16 matches and lost five whereas one ended in a tie due to rain.
Meanwhile, the 30-year-old who led Gujarat Titans (GT) to the Indian Premier League (IPL) title win in their inaugural season was traded to his former franchise Mumbai Indians (MI).
Vikram Solanki, Director of Cricket for Gujarat Titans, said, “As the first captain of Gujarat Titans, Hardik Pandya has helped the franchise deliver two fantastic seasons that resulted in winning one IPL championship and one appearance in the final. He has now expressed a desire to return to his original team Mumbai Indians. We respect his decision and wish him all the very best in his future endeavours."
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