Hardik Pandya could be fit for Afghanistan series in January: Jay Shah

The secretary of the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), Jay Shah has confirmed that several cricket academies will soon be opened in the north-eastern states of India. Jammu and Kashmir will see many new academies open as well.

It is worth noting that the states in the north-east have been neglected in terms of cricket development for quite a few years. However, the BCCI’s new initiative will see that change. According to Shah, the academies are very close to completion.

"The academies in the Northeast States will be ready soon; probably by August, midway through August, we'll see academies opening up in the Northeast and the new NCA in Bengaluru. And the work on Jammu & Kashmir Academy has started," Shah said on the sidelines of the recently concluded WPL 2024 auction.

We have given the extension but we are yet to finalise the contract: Shah

Furthermore, Shah also commented about the tenure of India head coach Rahul Dravid. The former Indian cricketer was given an extension as the coach by the BCCI, and Shah opined that the duration of his tenure will be decided after he returns from the South Africa tour.

“We have given the extension but we are yet to finalise the contract. We did not get time at all, they finished (with the World Cup), I had a meeting with them and we agreed mutually that they would continue. We will sit down and decide once they return from South Africa,” Shah said.

He also gave an update on Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya. The star player injured himself at the ODI World Cup 2023 and is yet to make a return to the pitch. However, Shah came forward to state that Pandya can make a return in January when India plays against Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series.

“We are monitoring it on a day-to-day basis. He is at NCA only, he is working very hard and we will let you know in due course the moment he is fit. He could be fit before the Afghanistan series also,” Shah added.