ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 – Hardik Pandya unlikely to return before game against Netherlands

Pandya has since been undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, and is expected to take his time with the recovery. To make up for his all-round skills, India played Suryakumar Yadav, and replaced Shardul Thakur with Mohammed Shami against New Zealand. Suryakumar was run-out for 2, but Shami, playing his first match of this World Cup, picked up a five-for to help India restrict New Zealand to under 300.

India then had little trouble seeing off England as well, eventually cruising to a 100-run win. After the England match, India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey had said that the medical team was in constant touch with Pandya and the NCA, and that they were hoping to get an update on his fitness in the “next couple of days”.

India are currently on top of the points table, and the only unbeaten side in the tournament, with six wins from as many matches. They are next to play Sri Lanka, in Mumbai on November 2, before heading to Kolkata for the game against South Africa. India will then round off the league stages by taking on Netherlands in Bengaluru.