All-rounder Hardik Pandya, who is currently recovering from a quadriceps injury, is unlikely to play in the forthcoming ODI series against South Africa beginning on November 30 and is anticipated to concentrate only on the shortest format for the time being due to the T20 World Cup taking precedence next year.
Hardik missed the final match against Pakistan after suffering the injury at the Asia Cup T20 in Dubai in September.
Spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is also expected to be rested from the three-match ODI series, which is not very important in the lead-up to the T20 showpiece, in accordance with workload management for frontline pacers.
“Hardik is recovering well from his quadriceps injury at the moment. He is at the Centre of Excellence doing his RTP (Return To Play) routines. As of now, returning from quadriceps injury, he needs to build up his workload and straightaway playing 50 overs will be risky. Till the T20 World Cup, the BCCI medical team and Hardik would focus on T20Is,” a PTI quoted a BCCI source as saying on conditions of anonymity.
Hardik is expected to play in the T20I series against South Africa and New Zealand after proving his match fitness for Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
50-over cricket is not very important until the T20 World Cup, although there are three ODIs against New Zealand as well. Senior players’ attention will turn to the 2027 ODI World Cup cycle after the next IPL.
