Last Update on: November 14th, 2023 at 09:23 pm
India National Cricket Team all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the upcoming five-match T20I series against Australia National Cricket Team, as per the latest reports in ESPNcricinfo.
The BCCI selection committee is set to pick the squad for the home series on November 15, the same day when the India National Cricket Team will lock horns with the New Zealand National Cricket Team in the first semi-final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Hardik Pandya, who has been leading India in T20Is since last year’s T20 World Cup, sustained a left-ankle ligament tear during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 and got ruled out of the competition.
Reportedly, the BCCI medical panel advised Hardik Pandya a rest of six to eight weeks and were optimistic about his recovery ahead of the semi-finals. However, the swelling failed to recede, causing pain during the fitness tests the all-rounder underwent and he was ruled out of the competition.
VVS Laxman To Take Charge Of Second-string Team India
The BCCI selection committee is likely to rest most of the players, who are currently involved in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, for Australia T20Is. The players, who recently won the Gold Medal in the Asian Games 2023, are likely to be named in the squad.
Along with the players, the Rahul Dravid-led coaching staff will also be given much-needed rest with the NCA head VVS Laxman stepping up and taking charge of a young team. Some reports have also claimed that Laxman is in line to become the next head coach of Team India if Rahul Dravid decides against renewing his contract, which will end after the World Cup.
Meanwhile, the Men In Blue will take on the Aussies in a five-match T20I series just after the conclusion of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The matches are set to be played on November 23, 26, 28, December 1, and 3. The venues for the matches were announced as Visakhapatnam, Thiruvananthapuram, Guwahati, Nagpur, and Hyderabad. Reportedly, Bengaluru will host the last game instead of Hyderabad.
