ODI World Cup 2023: Hardik Pandya to miss two more matches, could join team for last two league games

Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya twisted his left ankle while trying to stop a ball from going to the boundary during the match against Bangladesh in Pune last week. The Baroda cricketer missed the game against New Zealand and as per reports, he will miss India's next two games versus England and Sri Lanka as well.

Rohit Sharma and Co. face the defending champions on October 29 in Lucknow. After this game, India will once again take the field on November 2 as they face Sri Lanka in Mumbai.

The 30-year-old, who is currently at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore, could join the team in Mumbai or in Kolkata, where India face South Africa on November 5 in their penultimate game in the league phase. It is understood that Hardik hasn't started bowling as yet.

He was rushed to the NCA to receive treatment from a specialist doctor from England. Initial reports suggested that Hardik would join the team in Lucknow but that plan has now been scrapped. The Indian team management does not want to rush Hardik's comeback as the former two-time ODI World Cup champions are currently on a five-match winning streak.

The importance of Hardik in the team was evident in India's most recent encounter against the Kiwis. To compensate for his all-round abilities, Rohit Sharma's men had to make two changes to their side. Hardik and Shardul Thakur were replaced by Suryakumar Yadav and Mohammed Shami.

The latter grabbed the opportunity with both hands and shined with the ball as he finished with figures of 5/54 in his 10 overs. Suryakumar, on the other hand, had a fantastic opportunity to take India home alongside Virat Kohli. However, a miscommunication between the two players led to a run out as the Mumbai batter was dismissed for just two runs. India eventually won by four wickets to go top of the table.

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