Hardik Pandya Injury Update: All-rounder unlikely to play remaining group matches - Report

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Hardik Pandya is unlikely to play at least two of the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 group matches as the all-rounder is yet to recover from the ankle injury sustained on October 19 during India vs Bangladesh, reported Espncricinfo.

The report further gave a further update on Hardik Pandya's injury status that the 30-year-old all-rounder is being handled carefully by the team management, who don't want to rush him into the playing 11.

India, who are on an unbeaten run at the ICC World Cup 2023, are slated to play Sri Lanka tomorrow (November 2) followed by South Africa on November 5 and Hardik Pandya is unlikely to play any of these game. He may return to the line-up for the Netherlands match on November 12, which is also India's last group match in the tournament.

The pace-bowling all-rounder injured himself on the follow through of his bowling during the match against Bangladesh as he tried to block a shot with his right foot. Following a scan, he was soon ruled out of the subsequent match against New Zealand in Dharamshala and was sent to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for recuperation.

In his absence, Rohit Sharma didn't opt for Shardul Thakur as a like-for-like replacement and made space for Suryakumar Yadav and Mohammed Shami in the line-up. The duo since then has performed well, especially Shami with nine wickets in two games. Suryakumar also scored a 49 in the last game.

While Hardik Pandya was reported to join the team in Mumbai for India vs Sri Lanka match, it's unclear if that has been the case since the latest injury update. India are currently sitting top of the table with six wins in six games (12 points) and are overwhelming favourites against Sri Lanka, who are staring at an early exit from the ICC World Cup 2023 with four losses in six games so far.