Hardik Pandya to Miss Next Two ICC Men's Cricket Matches Due to Injury

New Delhi: India's upcoming ICC Men's Cricket matches will be without the services of the fast-bowling vice-captain, Hardik Pandya. Pandya has been on the road to recovery from a left thigh injury he sustained during the match against Bangladesh in Pune. India is gearing up to face England in Lucknow on October 29 and Sri Lanka in Mumbai on November 2, but it appears unlikely that Pandya will make a return to the squad in time for the Lucknow clash.

In the 2023 Men's ICC One-Day World Cup, during India's fourth league match against Bangladesh at Pune's MCA Stadium, Pandya limped off the field after injuring his left thigh while fielding during his own bowling spell. Consequently, he missed the match against New Zealand on October 22 and was subsequently sent to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore for specialized medical treatment, including injections.

A recent report indicates that the fast-bowling all-rounder will remain sidelined for the final two league matches against South Africa on November 5 and the Netherlands on November 12. The medical team believes that Pandya needs a few more days to make a full recovery. The team management is keen on ensuring that Pandya is not rushed back and is fully fit for the upcoming semi-finals.

With a perfect record of five wins in five matches, India is the sole undefeated team in the current Men's One-Day World Cup. The upcoming clash is against England, and India will need to make significant changes to secure a spot in the knockout stage, requiring at least four wins from their remaining five matches.