Hardik Pandya set to miss Australia T20Is, doubtful for white-ball leg of South Africa tour, claims report

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya is reportedly set to miss the T20I series against Australia as well as the white-ball leg of the South Africa tour that follows due to an ankle injury that he had suffered during the ICC World Cup. Pandya had suffered a ligament tear on his right ankle during India’s World Cup group stage match against Bangladesh in Pune on 19 October. The all-rounder had bowled just three deliveries in his first over when he suffered the injury that forced him to limp off the ground, and later ruled him out of the remainder of India’s World Cup campaign. Read | Why Hardik Pandya's absence is a bigger loss than you think? According to a report on The Indian Express. Pandya miss out on the five-T20I series against Australia that starts four days after the two sides lock horns in the World Cup final on Sunday. And while it’s not confirmed whether he needs a surgery on his ankle or not, the chances of him featuring in the three ODIs and as many T20Is in the subsequent tour of South Africa also appear slim at the moment.

Tough to digest the fact that I will miss out on the remaining part of the World Cup. I'll be with the team, in spirit, cheering them on every ball of every game. Thanks for all the wishes, the love, and the support has been incredible. This team is special and I'm sure we'll… pic.twitter.com/b05BKW0FgL

— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) November 4, 2023

India drafted seamer Prasidh Krishna was drafted into the World Cup squad as his replacement, though he has been warming the bench since with India opting to bring pacer Mohammed Shami and middle-order batter Suryakumar Yadav into the XI since. Read | SKY or Gaikwad expected to lead India in Australia T20Is after World Cup Pandya’s injury turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the Men in Blue. Shami had been sitting on the bench in the initial leg of India’s campaign before finally getting his big break against New Zealand in Dharamsala — where he made an instant impact with a haul of 5/54. In what has been a remarkable run from the Gujarat Titans and Bengal pacer, Shami has collected 23 wickets so far in just six matches at a stunning average of 9.13. Shami has three five-fors so far in the tournament along with a four-fer, and surged ahead of Adam Zampa on the wicket-takers list with a haul of 7/57 against New Zealand in the semi-final in Mumbai — the best figures by an Indian bowler at the ICC World Cup.