Hardik Pandya is unique in Indian cricket because there aren’t many top-quality fast-bowling all-rounders like him.
Hardik Pandya got injured in a World Cup game
Hardik Pandya, the popular all-rounder of the Indian cricket team, might return to play soon. He stands out because there aren’t many all-rounders who are excellent at both fast bowling and batting in Indian cricket. However, he has faced long breaks due to injuries. People are suggesting that he could be the next captain for the Indian cricket team in shorter formats like T20Is, especially with the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup. So, having him on the field is important.
But in the ODI Cricket World Cup 2023, Hardik Pandya, expected to be a key player in finishing with the bat and as the sixth bowling option, couldn’t play in most of India’s matches. Unfortunately, he got injured in a game against Bangladesh while trying to stop a ball with his bowling. This forced him to sit out for the rest of the matches. Additionally, he hasn’t been included in any of India’s squads for the South Africa tour.
But there’s good news – Hardik Pandya might return to play as soon as next month. Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary, mentioned, “Hardik Pandya could be fit for the Afghanistan T20 series in January,” according to the news agency PTI.
“We’re keeping a close eye on it every day. Hardik Pandya is currently at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), putting in a lot of effort. We’ll inform you when he’s fully fit. It’s possible he might recover even before the Afghanistan series,” Shah told reporters during the WPL auction.
Hardik Pandya could be fit for Afghanistan T20 series in January: BCCI secretary Jay Shah
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 9, 2023
BCCI secretary Jay Shah: Hardik Pandya might be ready to play in the T20 series against Afghanistan in January.
The series is set to begin on January 11 and will run until January 17. The Afghanistan Cricket Board has officially confirmed that the Afghanistan National Cricket Team will visit India for a three-match T20I series in early January 2024. The three T20I matches are planned for the 11th, 14th, and 17th of January, according to a statement from ACB.
The initial game of the three-match T20I series is set for January 11 in Mohali. The subsequent matches will take place on January 14 in Indore and January 17 in Bengaluru.
Although Afghanistan and India have encountered each other in several Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and ICC events, this series represents the first occasion where they will participate in a multi-match white-ball series. They have previously faced off in five T20I matches, all of which India has won.
Afghanistan recently came to India for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. They finished in the 6th position on the points table, achieving notable wins against England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
