Xtra Time Web Desk: There is a possibility that Hardik Pandya will straightaway get back into the playing XI for the semi-final of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The 30-year-old is on his road to recovery at the National Cricket Academy. He has already started batting at NCA and is also spending time in the gym.
Hardik injured his left ankle after trying to stop a ball on his follow through in the 9th over of the Bangladesh innings at Pune on October 19. He did not travel with the Indian team to Dharamsala and Lucknow for the games against New Zealand and England respectively. He will also miss the games against Sri Lanka in Mumbai on November 2 and South Africa on November 5. It is expected that he will link up with the squad ahead of the final league game against Netherlands in Bengaluru.
It is learnt Hardik is recovering well at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and is showing encouraging signs of return after a left ankle injury has kept him away from the field. He is under constant supervision of the BCCI medical team.
While the exact date of Pandya’s return could not be confirmed at this stage, it is understood that team management is likely to ease him back into the set-up now that India’s last-four spot is confirmed.
Indian team management have been forced to play specialist players in the last two encounters due to the unavailability of Hardik. The hosts did not have the luxury of an extra sixth bowler. With the all-rounder nearing a return, the team management will have healthy headache.