In a setback for both Team India and the Mumbai Indians, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s road to recovery from an ankle injury seems more prolonged than anticipated. Pandya, who suffered the injury during the 2023 World Cup, missed subsequent series against Australia and South Africa. Hopes were high for his return in the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in January, but recent reports from PTI indicate a cloud of uncertainty.

Despite initial expectations, it appears that Hardik Pandya might miss not only the Afghanistan series but also the entire IPL 2023 season. A BCCI source revealed, “There is no update on Hardik’s fitness status as of now, and one can say there remains a big question mark on him being available before the end of IPL.”

The three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, scheduled between January 11 and 17, is crucial for Team India as it marks their final T20I assignment before the World Cup in June. The absence of Pandya adds to the woes, especially considering the earlier injury to Suryakumar Yadav, who is expected to miss the series due to an ankle injury sustained in a T20I against South Africa.

The lack of clarity on Pandya’s availability poses a significant challenge for Team India’s captaincy choices. With Rohit Sharma on a hiatus and Suryakumar Yadav injured, the selectors might look to Rohit Sharma to return as captain against Afghanistan. However, there’s also the option of Ravindra Jadeja, who served as vice-captain during the South Africa T20I series. Jadeja, though, has a packed schedule with the upcoming five Tests against England, prompting concerns about workload management.

Adding to Team India’s woes, Ruturaj Gaikwad, who led India to a gold medal in the Asian Games, is also unavailable due to a broken finger.

For the Mumbai Indians, the absence of Hardik Pandya is a significant blow. The franchise recently announced Pandya as their captain for the IPL 2024 season, ending Rohit Sharma’s remarkable ten-year captaincy tenure that saw five IPL titles. Hardik was traded back to Mumbai from Gujarat Titans in an all-cash deal, making his absence a critical factor in the team’s dynamics and leadership structure for the upcoming IPL season.

As the situation unfolds, both Team India and the Mumbai Indians are left grappling with the challenge of reshaping strategies and leadership plans in the wake of Hardik Pandya’s uncertain recovery timeline. Cricket enthusiasts will be closely monitoring updates as the countdown to the Afghanistan T20I series and IPL 2024 begins.