Hardik Pandya doubtful for Afghanistan T20Is, IPL 2024 due to injury: Report

Hardik Pandya, who was named Mumbai Indians (MI) captain recently, is in doubt for the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). An ankle injury had ruled Pandya out of the 2023 ODI World Cup, and he consequently missed the white-ball series against Australia and South Africa. However, he was expected to be fit for the T20 International (T20I) series against Afghanistan, starting January 11, but it now does not seem likely.

Pandya was traded from Gujarat Titans (GT) to MI recently and was also made captain to bring an end to Rohit Sharma's 10-year reign, in which he won five IPL titles.

Moreover, PTI has reported that there is a big question mark over the all-rounder's participation in the IPL as well.

"There is no update on Hardik's fitness status as of now, and one can say there remains a big question mark of him being available before the end of IPL," a BCCI source told PTI on condition of anonymity.

It has also been reported that Suryakumar Yadav, who led the T20I side against Australia and South Africa, had twisted his ankle in Johannesburg and suffered a tear that would take at least six weeks to heal. In the absence of Pandya and Surya, India could opt to hand Ravindra Jadeja the captaincy for the Afghanistan T20Is, given that he was the vice-captain for the South Africa tour. 

However, if Rohit Sharma returns to the side, he will lead the team against Afghanistan, given that the T20 World Cup is around the corner.