Hardik Pandya out of Afghanistan ODIs, day after recovery update:BCCI yet to announce official replacement for all-rounder

Just a day after receiving clearance from the Sports Science team at the Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru, fans are jolted by Hardik Pandya’s omission from the ODI series against Afghanistan. The premium all-rounder is set to miss the 50-over series due to a leg sprain. Notably, Pandya was in peak shape and was training hard at BCCI’s CoE since 2 June. After the clearance, Hardik was even expected to link up with the Shubman Gill-led squad in Dharamsala on 11 June. However, the late setback has shaken his hopes to play competitive cricket as he will have to stay in Bengaluru for at least two more weeks. Trainers rule Hardik Pandya out of ODI series to avoid long-term damage As per the PTI report, a BCCI source revealed that Team India all-rounder has sustained a low-grade, mild leg sprain, causing some tenderness. It’s not a major injury that’ll require long-term plans. However, for the sake of precaution, the medical staff advised him to avoid any strain or weight-bearing for the next few days. So Hardik will continue to stay in Bengaluru, consulting with CoE physios and trainers during his recovery phase. BCCI yet to announce the replacement for the 32-year-old With reports coming in of Hardik Pandya being ruled out of the series, it now remains to be seen whether the think tank names a replacement for the 32-year-old. The all-rounder would be making a comeback after more than a year in the format if he had been fit. It has been learned, as per the same report, that the team management has already been informed of Hardik’s conditions. Some ODI squad members are scheduled to join the team in Mohali on Wednesday and will have an optional training session at the IS Bindra Stadium before leaving for Dharamshala on Thursday. Hardik Pandya’s recovery was reported at CoE on Tuesday Pandya reported to the BCCI Centre of Excellence on June 2 after returning from a holiday abroad. Since then, he has undergone extensive training and match simulation exercises under the supervision of the medical and strength-and-conditioning staff. The all-rounder completed several demanding sessions during his stay in Bengaluru. “Hardik was on a holiday abroad before he checked in at the CoE on June 2. Over the next five days, he did several match simulations and even bowled (full quota of) 10 overs,” a trusted BCCI source told PTI. The source further confirmed that the all-rounder experienced no discomfort during the sessions. “There has been no discomfort, and the information is that his fitness data for various parameters has been okayed by Strength and Conditioning coaches at the CoE.” However, it is not clear whether Pandya will join the team in Chandigarh for a training session under lights or directly link up in Dharamsala, which was the original plan.