Hardik Pandya Ruled Out Of Bangladesh T20Is, Could Miss International Cricket For 4-5 Months: Report
Oct 1, 2019 at 6:54 PM
Hardik Pandya is all set to miss the upcoming Bangladesh T20I series due to a lower back injury. As per a report in PTI, his back injury has resurfaced that will keep him out for a few months, Pandya, like Jasprit Bumrah, will now fly to the UK to take expert opinion.
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Should the issue be solved through rest, Pandya will make a comeback next year but should he require surgery, the all-rounder might have to sit out for long.
When Pandya wasn’t named in the squad for South Africa Tests, it first seemed like he is out due to conditions but now, the report confirms that he is indeed suffering from an issue. Pandya isn’t a part of Baroda squad in ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. Pandya hasn’t played a Test since England series in 2018.
The 25-year-old had suffered a back injury during India’s second game at Asia Cup 2018 against Pakstan. After a gruelling tour of England, he was expected to be rested for the tournament but that didn’t happen.
He broke down after bowling 4.5 overs and made a return for Australia Test series mid-way after proving his fitness for Baroda in Ranji Trophy.
With two T20 World Cups to be played in next two years, India would want their key all-rounder to be at the top of his fitness and should Pandya miss out on action for long, it will step from the team management to keep him ready and running for the twin tournaments.
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Apart from Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah is another player who is suffering a back issue. His stress fracture in the back was detected during routine checkups. He was withdrawn from the South Africa Test series and will travel to the UK.
Bumrah’s workload has been managed by the team management, which has seen him miss out international matches this year. After the Test series in Australia, he was rested for the ODI series against the hosts and limited-overs series against New Zealand.
The timeline for his comeback has not been set but he is expected to be part of the sqauad for New Zealand Tests next year.