IND vs SL: Is Hardik Pandya injured ahead of India vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20I? Here’s update

Hardik Pandya injured IND vs SL: Team India started the 2023 calendar year with an incredible 2-run victory against Sri Lanka in the opening T20I encounter on Tuesday. The Hardik Pandya-led side managed to defend a fighting total of 162 runs on a batting paradise Wankhede pitch. The Men in Blue have now secured a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series. The second T20I game between hosts India and Sri Lanka is scheduled to be played on 5 January, 2023 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.

IND vs SL: Is Hardik Pandya injured ahead of India vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20I? Here’s update

While defending a target of 163 runs, Indian captain Hardik Pandya decided to take the onus on himself and bowled a superb first over. He bowled as many as three overs in a go during the first six overs of the powerplay and ended up conceding just 12 runs. However, after taking a fine catch to dismiss Wanindu Hasaranga, Hardik seemed to be struggling with cramps on his knee and also left the field for a little while. With 2 wickets in hand and Sri Lanka requiring 13 runs off the final over, the Indian skipper did not came out to bowl and instead handed over the ball to left-arm spinner Axar Patel who successfully defended and helped his team pick an unbelievable victory.

After the game, Hardik Pandya revealed that he was struggling with fitness towards the end. However, he gave Axar the 20th over to let his team prepare for big challenges that will definitely come in major tournaments in future. However, the good news is that Hardik is very much likely to be fit for the second T20I against Sri Lanka on Thursday.

“Now I have tendency to scare people but if I am smiling then everything is fine. I did not sleep well, did not drink enough water and hence the glutes were stiff,” Hardik Pandya said.

“I want to put this team in difficult situations because it will help us in big games (on Axar bowling the last over). Bilaterals we are very good at and this is how we are going to challenge ourselves,” he added.

IND Playing 11

1. Ishan Kishan (wk)
2. Shubman Gill
3. Suryakumar Yadav
4. Sanju Samson
5. Hardik Pandya (C)
6. Deepak Hooda
7. Axar Patel
8. Shivam Mavi
9. Harshal Patel
10. Umran Malik
11. Yuzvendra Chahal

India vs Sri Lanka 2023 Schedule