MUMBAI: Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is likely to join Team India in Mumbai ahead of their 2023 ODI World Cup match against Sri Lanka on November 2, TOI has learnt.
Pandya is currently recovering from his ankle injury that he sustained in the match against Bangladesh in Pune on October 19.
“Yes, Pandya, who is presently recuperating at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, will join the team in Mumbai. Right now, we can’t be sure if he will play against Sri Lanka, but he’s slated to join the team,” a reliable source told TOI.
Pandya’s return to the India camp will surely be good news for the hosts, who have won all six of their World Cup games so far.
Pandya had slipped in his follow-through while bowling against Bangladesh and missed the matches against New Zealand in Dharamsala on October 22, and England on October 29.
His absence led to Suryakumar Yadav and Mohammed Shami’s inclusion in the playing XI against both New Zealand and England.
Pandya has taken five wickets in four games at an average of 22.60, besides scoring 11 runs in the World Cup so far, but has had limited batting opportunities.
