Ajay Jadeja, the former Indian middle-order batsman, didn’t mince his words when expressing his views on the notable absence of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who sustained an ankle injury during the ICC World Cup 2023.
Hardik Pandya, renowned for his extraordinary skills as a fast-bowling all-rounder, retains a special place in the Indian cricket squad. However, his journey has been marked by considerable hurdles, particularly battling with ailments. A recurrent back injury, commencing in 2018, threw doubt on his Test cricket career.
Upon his comeback, Pandya opted for a cautious approach in terms of bowling in white-ball cricket, hurting India’s success in the 2021 T20 World Cup. Despite resuming his all-rounder duties post-rehabilitation, an ankle injury during the ODI World Cup highlighted India’s vulnerability, masterfully exploited by Australia in the final.
His Cricket World Cup journey was unexpectedly terminated due to an ankle injury received while attempting a critical play against Bangladesh. This terrible incident led to his absence from subsequent matches, and regrettably, he won’t be part of India’s squad for the upcoming Tour of South Africa.
Previously, the 30-year-old faced an extended period on the sidelines due to persistent back issues, prompting him to undergo surgery in October 2019. Despite efforts, he struggled to regain peak fitness until the IPL 2022 when he finally showcased his all-round skills for the Gujarat Titans (GT).
In a recent chat with ‘Sports Today’ discussing the upcoming tour to South Africa, Ajay Jadeja didn’t hold back in expressing his concerns about a key player in the team. He remarked that the term “rare talent” is often associated with this player for reasons that don’t necessarily paint him in a positive light.
“You did not understand the meaning. He is a rare talent and is rarely seen on the ground. It is very rare and rightly so,” said Jadeja, who was Afghanistan’s team mentor during the World Cup.
Also Read: Hardik Pandya To Undergo A Special 18-week Fitness Program
There’s been a lot of speculation about the cricketer’s possible comeback date. Some are hopeful that Pandya might make his return during the three T20Is against Afghanistan in January, while others are saying that fans might have to wait until IPL 2024 before seeing him back in action, just ahead of the men’s T20 World Cup next June.
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