In a major setback to team India, ace Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against New Zealand.
Hardik Pandya, who last represented India in the T-20 series against South Africa, underwent lower back surgery in October last year and has been out of action since.
He was hopeful of a Test return against the Kiwis but failure to regain his full fitness has ensured that the 26-year-old will have to wait a little longer to don the Indian jersey again.
Allrounder Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the upcoming India-NZ Test Series (Pic Credit: The Quint)
According to a statement released by BCCI secretary Jay Shah, Hardik will now undergo rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. Earlier, he was selected for India A tour of New Zealand but was later pulled out due to poor scores in the fitness test. As a replacement, Tamil Nadu’s skipper Vijay Shankar was drafted into the squad.
The Surgery Was Long Due For Pandya
Pandya was struggling with this lower back stiffness for nearly 5 years. It was only in July 2018, on the tour to England when his injury started troubling him often and he finally decided to put an end to the misery by undergoing surgery in London. Post his surgery in October, Hardik revealed that with the New Zealand tour, IPL and T-20 World Cup in sight, it was best for him to opt for a surgery.
Pic Credit: Economic times
“We decided to do the surgery now because we saw the future and thought this is the right time. We thought this was the right time because even if I take four months, I will be coming back before the New Zealand series, mid-way actually,” Hardik told IANS in December.
“That was the plan that I play some international games, the IPL and then the World T20. The biggest concern was the World T20 which touch wood is now in place. I could have done the surgery a month later, but it would not have helped me in any way,” he said. “I was feeling the difference in my back and wasn’t able to take it.”
Hardik’s Absence A Huge Blow for Virat Kohli
Hardik Pandya has played a significant role in India’s success in the cricket’s longest format. In the 11 Tests Pandya has played to date, he’s notched up 532 runs at an average of 31.29.
Add to that his tally of 17 wickets at an average of 31.05. In his last Test series, on the tour to England, Pandya was in top form with the ball. In the 4 Tests he played on the tour, he bagged 10 wickets including a five-wicket haul at an average of 24.70.
He made some important contributions with the bat too, notching up 164 runs including a half-century.
Pic Credit: The Statesman
He may not have played many Tests but even in a short career of 17 matches, he’s established himself as a key member of the Indian Test squad. Moreover, in pace friendly conditions such as New Zealand, he could’ve been an asset for Virat Kohli.
India, who will kick off the Test series against the Kiwis on Feburary 21, is also sweating over the fitness of lead pacer Ishant Sharma who suffered an ankle injury against Vidarbha in the Ranji Trophy game last month.
A Fit Pandya Is Must For India’s Chances In the World T-20
Pic Credit: News18.com
With T-20 World cup lined up in October, Indian management will be hoping for the quick recovery of their ace all-rounder. Pandya, took over the responsibilities of a finisher from MS Dhoni in the cricket’s shortest format is responsible for providing the momentum team requires in the final overs of the inning. Moreover, he’s a proper bowler and can bowl his full quota of 4 overs. He is the X-factor in this Indian set-up and Kohli would be eager to get his most valuable player back on the field as soon as possible.
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