Hardik Pandya Injury: The former Team India batter Gautam Gambhir has called out the Men in Blue for their need for a backup of seam-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Gambhir’s suggestion was backed by unfortunate events on Tuesday. After a few uneasy moments during the IND vs SL match at the Wankhede Stadium related to his fitness, India’s new T20 skipper Hardik Pandya gave the crowd a scare. Just after completing his spell of three-overs, Pandya was seen gripping his back while still fielding. Follow India vs SriLanka LIVE updates with InsideSport.IN
Hardik Pandya Injury: Injury Scare for Team India skipper? Gautam Gambhir calls out need for backup of seam all-rounder Hardik Pandya, Follow IND vs SL LIVE
During the 1st IND vs SL T20I, for a brief period of time, SuryaKumar Yadav assumed command as Hardik Pandya hobbled away while still holding his calf. The all-rounder did come back to lead his team to a nail-biting victory over Sri Lanka by two runs.
“They need to quickly identify a back-up for Hardik; if something happens to him, India will be in serious, serious trouble,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Gambhir as saying on ‘Road To World Cup Glory’, a show on Star Sports that will be aired in full after the first T20I between India and Sri Lanka.
Notably, Gambhir made these remarks in the context of the ODI World Cup at home in October-November for India. But Hardik’s Injury scare in 1st India vs SriLanka proved the point of the double world champion.
Hardik has only recently returned to full fitness after dealing with a back condition for the past few years. The upcoming ODIs against Sri Lanka, in which he will be vice-captain, will be his first one-day internationals since the England tour in July 2022.
IND vs SL 1st T20I and Injury Scare to Hardik Pandya
India went on to defend a target of 163 against Sri Lanka here at the Wankhede Stadium to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Surprised to see Axar bowling the final over? Here’s Captain @hardikpandya7 revealing the reason behind the move. #INDvSL #TeamIndia @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/dewHMr93Yi
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 3, 2023
The Indian bowlers came up with some intelligent bowling to register a hard-fought win by just 2 runs. While Hardik Pandya did impress with his decision-making, he struggled on the field with cramps.
Speaking after the game, Hardik allayed those concerns suggesting they were just cramps.
He said, “It is just cramps. Now I have tendency to scare people. I did not sleep well, did not drink enough water and hence the glutes were stiff.”
Hardik Pandya Injury: Injury Scare for Team India skipper? Gautam Gambhir calls out need for backup of seam all-rounder Hardik Pandya, Follow IND vs SL LIVE
Editor's Pick
Cricket
IND vs AUS Test: No rush to send Mohammed Shami to Australia for BGT
Top Stories
