In a serious setback for Team India and Mumbai Indians, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is unlikely to recuperate in time for the upcoming three-match T20I sequence in opposition to Afghanistan. This information, reported by PTI, has not solely raised considerations over India’s captaincy selection for the sequence but in addition places a query mark on Hardik’s participation within the IPL 2024 season. Hardik Pandya sustained an ankle harm throughout the ICC World Cup 2023, resulting in his unlucky withdrawal from the event. This setback compelled him to overlook the T20I sequence in opposition to Australia and the following white-ball matches in South Africa. Despite the preliminary optimism surrounding his restoration, latest stories recommend that Hardik may not be a match-fit for the essential sequence in opposition to Afghanistan.
_ Update _
Hardik Pandya’s harm is being assessed in the mean time and he’s being taken for scans.
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T20I Series Against Afghanistan in Jeopardy
The three-match T20I sequence in opposition to Afghanistan, scheduled between January 11 and 17, is India’s remaining project earlier than the World Cup in June. With Suryakumar Yadav additionally dominated out because of an ankle harm, the staff faces a management vacuum. The absence of each Hardik and Suryakumar poses a difficult scenario for the selectors, who could must rethink their captaincy choices.
IPL 2024 Participation in Doubt
The uncertainty surrounding Hardik Pandya’s restoration extends past the Afghanistan sequence, with speculations that he would possibly miss all the IPL 2024 season. A BCCI supply, talking on the situation of anonymity, acknowledged, “There is no update on Hardik’s return to cricket. There is a big question mark on his availability before the Indian Premier League.”
Selection Dilemma for Team India
The absence of Hardik Pandya leaves Team India with a vital determination to make concerning the captaincy. While Rohit Sharma is a pure selection, his potential extension of the hiatus may open the door for Ravindra Jadeja, who served because the vice-captain to Suryakumar throughout the South Africa T20I sequence. The selectors additionally face challenges as Ruturaj Gaikwad, the captain throughout India’s gold medal triumph within the Asian Games, is sidelined with a damaged finger.
Mumbai Indians’ Captaincy Transition
For Mumbai Indians, the scenario is equally difficult as they lately introduced Hardik Pandya as their captain for the IPL 2024 season, ending Rohit Sharma’s outstanding 10-year tenure because the chief. Hardik’s absence may pressure the franchise to rethink their management technique, including an surprising twist to the upcoming season.
