Hardik Pandya, the India vice-captain, will miss the battle for the top spot against New Zealand in the World Cup league stage on Sunday after injuring his left ankle during India’s facile win against Bangladesh in Pune on Thursday. The allrounder is set to leave for the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru for treating his injury.
“The allrounder was taken for scans and is advised rest. He will be under the constant supervision of the BCCI Medical Team,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah said in a statement. “He will not be taking the flight to Dharamsala with the team on 20th October and will now join the team directly in Lucknow where India play England.”
The Hindu understands that Hardik Pandya’s scan has revealed a minor muscle tear. As a result, he left for Bengaluru while the rest of the squad boarded a chartered flight from Pune to Dharamshala on Friday.
Cortisone shot may help Hardik recover
The team’s medical staff after consulting experts feels a cortisone shot may help Hardik recover in time for the next weekend’s game against England, in Lucknow on October 29.
A cortisone shot helps an athlete relieve of pain and subside swelling much quicker, thereby hastening recovery. The week-long gap after the clash against New Zealand may give Hardik enough time to recover in time and reduce the impact of his absence for the team.
A muscle sprain can only be healed with rest, icing, strapping the portion and keeping it elevated. Hardik suffered the injury off the third ball he bowled, while attempting to stop Litton Das’ straight drive off his own bowling. After being unable to stop the ball by stretching his right leg, he seemed to have fallen awkwardly on his left ankle, thereby hurting it more.
Hardik’s unavailability for the key clash against New Zealand will mean India will have to make reshuffle its preferred combination of going in with six bowling options and eight batters.
