Hardik Pandya like to join Team India during World Cup 2023 semi-final: Report

Hardik Pandya has started training and could join the team by the World Cup 2023 semi-finals, a media report said on Monday. The India all-rounder has not played in the World Cup since the Bangladesh game on 19 October when he injured his ankle. The BCCI had earlier said that Pandya would be back with the team after missing one game but he has since missed two matches and is expected to now miss the remaining three group games.

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However, India have remained unbeaten so far in the World Cup with six wins from six matches.

“Hardik Pandya has already had a couple of net sessions at the NCA, is under constant supervision of the BCCI medical team and looking good,” a BCCI source told CricketNext.

“It will be difficult to put a date on return at this stage but signs are encouraging and India’s unbeaten run has certainly allowed him more time to recover and be ready for the knockouts,” adds the source.

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India’s next three matches are against Sri Lanka in Mumbai, South Africa in Kolkata and the Netherlands in Bengaluru. If everything goes well then Pandya could join the team ahead of the Netherlands game.

“See, no one wants to burden Hardik with travelling at this point. He is already in Bengaluru and could well rejoin the squad there itself. Whether he plays that game or not is too early to say but the Bengaluru link-up is very much on the cards because that game would mean no travel also,” the source added.

With India winning their matches, the management is in no hurry to bring Pandya back. And while the Men in Blue are still to qualify for the semi-finals, it’s almost seen as a guarantee which means Pandya could return for the crucial knockout match.