PTI reports indicate Hardik Pandya may still be uncertain of his recovery from an ankle injury, leading to speculation of possible misses from Afghanistan and IPL 2024 tournaments.

Hardik Pandya, India’s all-rounder, suffered an ankle injury at the 2023 World Cup and missed subsequent matches against Australia and the South Africa Tour in December. A report indicates that his return for three T20I matches against Afghanistan in January may not occur.

India will find this development, especially concerning the captaincy of their T20I series against Afghanistan from January 11-17 at home, scheduled as three T20I matches and due to Suryakumar being injured by his ankle, leaving an oversight between two key players that have to fill. Thus causing selectors to reconsider captaincy options.

PTI reports indicate that Hardik may be uncertain of his recovery from an ankle injury, raising concerns for the Afghanistan series and participation in the IPL season 2024.

Sources from BCCI told PTI there had been no update regarding Hardik’s health status and whether he would be available for the IPL finale.

Mumbai Indians will feel Hardik Pandya’s absence as skipper for 2024. MI also terminated Rohit Sharma’s 10-year leadership tenure, in which he won five titles with MI.

Hardik was traded to MI for Gujarat Titans in November 2023 in an unusual cash-only deal that raised many eyebrows.

Reports noted that Rohit Singh was informed of this decision at the ICC World Cup 2023 and decided to play alongside Hardik Pandya for the IPL season 2024.

This setback would enormously affect both Team India and Mumbai Indians. Selectors could consider Rohit Sharma returning as captain for India against Afghanistan;

Otherwise, Ravindra may serve as Suryakumar’s vice-captain during their T20Is against South Africa. Ruturaj Gaikwad also injured his finger and is out due to it. Previously, he led India to victory at the Asian Games.

Hardik’s Participation In The IPL 2024 is Under Question

Mumbai Indians recently appointed Hardik captain for the Indian Premier League 2024 season but due to Hardik’s Ankle Injury he can miss likely the IPL 2024.

This marks an end to Rohit Sharma’s decade-long stint when they won five titles. Hardik’s return from Gujarat Titans was concluded via an all-cash deal earlier this month.

It may prompt franchises to review their leadership strategies or introduce unexpected dynamics into next year’s league play.

MI Retained Players

Rohit Sharma, Dewald Brevis, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, N. Tilak Varma, Tim David, Vishnu Vinod, Arjun Tendulkar, Shams Mulani, Nehal Wadhera, Jasprit Bumrah, Kumar Kartikeya, Piyush Chawla, Akash Madhwal, Jason Behrendorff, Romario Shepherd (from LSG), Hardik Pandya (Captain).

MI Players Purchased At The IPL Auction 2024

Gerald Coetzee (Rs. 5 crores), Dilshan Madushanka (Rs. 4.60 crores), Shreyas Gopal (Rs. 20 lakhs), Nuwan Thushara (Rs. 4.80 crores), Naman Dhir (Rs. 20 lakhs), Anshul Kamboj (Rs. 20 lakhs) Mohammad Nabi (Rs. 1.5 crores) and Shivalik Sharma (Rs. 1.5 crores), Shivalik Sharma (Rs. 20 lakhs).

India vs Afghanistan T20 Series

India and Afghanistan will meet from January 11-17 for a T20I three-match series that marks their last T20I competition before World Cup 2019.

Suryakumar Yadav was reported as being out for the series following an ankle sprain suffered during a T20I against South Africa, possibly with ligament tears that will take up to six weeks to heal fully.

According to reports, Hardik Pandya’s ankle injury isn’t expected to heal quickly. According to these forecasts, Hardik will likely miss the Afghanistan series and IPL 2024.

Ruturaj Gaikwad will not be available to play in the Afghanistan series due to an injury to his right ring finger.

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