Reports suggests BCCI has set 18-week high-performance programme for Hardik Pandya recovery.

Hardik Pandya is presently recovering from a left ankle injury sustained during India’s ODI World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh in Pune. The incident occurred when the star all-rounder attempted to prevent a boundary off his own bowling, resulting in a twisted ankle. Subsequently, he missed the remainder of the World Cup, and India faced defeat against Australia in the final.

Following the World Cup, Hardik was unavailable for the T20I series against Australia and the South Africa tour. Reports suggest that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is taking a patient approach to Hardik’s comeback, considering the upcoming T20 World Cups in 2024 and 2026. The National Cricket Academy (NCA) has designed a specialized 18-week program to aid Hardik in regaining full fitness, encompassing aspects like cardio, strength training, functional training, and rest and recovery. The program is set to conclude in March.

A BCCI source told News 18 “We speak of workload management. This is precisely what it is all about. Is there a doubt on his ability as a T20 cricketer? No. What we rather need is setting long-term goals and ensuring endurance levels remain up to the mark.”

Despite facing previous injury setbacks, including a significant back injury that sidelined him for over a year, sources emphasize that Hardik’s current injury is unrelated to past issues. They assure that he should not be labeled as injury-prone.

“First let’s be clear. Pandya’s earlier injury (back) was completely different from the freak injury or say ‘accident’ he suffered during the Bangladesh game in Pune. There is no relation between the two and it would be unfair to say he wasn’t in top shape for the World Cup or to suggest that he is injury prone. He made a successful comeback from the back injury, has been in superb shape and it was just an unfortunate incident, added the BCCI source.

Known for his crucial role in the white-ball format for the ‘Men in Blue,’ Hardik is expected to play a pivotal role in the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA as India aims to break their drought in ICC events.