Hardik Pandya returns from injury: India cricket team's premier all-rounder Hardik Pandya made his much-awaited comeback to the cricket field after a four-month long hiatus due to injury. The newly-appointed Mumbai Indians (MI) captain is leading Reliance 1 in the DY Patil T20 Cup.
The 30-year-old sustained an ankle injury while bowling in a World Cup match against Bangladesh. Initially expected to return to play for the national team during the World Cup, the severity of the injury delayed his comeback plans. Now, fit-again Hardik Pandya is set to feature in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, gearing up for the much-anticipated T20 World Cup 2024 in West Indies and USA.
Last week, Hardik Pandya returned to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for match simulations aimed at assessing his fitness. After successfully clearing the fitness test, Pandya commenced his preparations for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, marking his on-field comeback through participation in DY Patil T20 Cup. Notably, prominent players such as Ishan Kishan and Rahul Tripathi are also part of the T20 tournament.
In a 'sensational' move, Hardik Pandya left Gujarat Giants to take over the captaincy of five-time IPL winner Mumbai Indians from seasoned opener Rohit Sharma. MI had a poor season in last year's IPL. The franchise and its supporters are expecting a fresh chapter this year, marked by Pandya's dynamic leadership.
Many top Indian players are participating in the DY Patil T20 tournament, which ends on March 9. The T20 tournament presents an invaluable opportunity for players to prepare for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.
Ishan Kishan features in Reliance squad but is not included in the lineup for the day's match. Speculations suggest that the talented wicketkeeper-batsman may represent the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in the ongoing tournament.