Reports: BCCI sets 18-week high-performance programme for Hardik Pandya recovery

Hardik Pandya is currently recovering from a left ankle injury he suffered during India's ODI World Cup 2023 fixture versus Bangladesh in Pune.

The star all-rounder tried to stop a boundary off his own bowling and twisted his ankle in the process. He went on to miss the remainder of the World Cup as India lost to Australia in the summit clash. Hardik subsequently missed the T20I series against Australia and is also unavailable for the away tour to South Africa.

As per reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has adopted a patient and measured approach for Hardik's comeback, with the T20 World Cups in 2024 and 2026 in the pipeline. The National Cricket Academy (NCA) has reportedly devised an 18-week programme specially for Hardik to help him get back to full fitness. Cardio, strength training, functional training, rest and recovery are some of the facets of the programme that will conclude in March.

“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,” a well-placed source was quoted as saying by News18.

Hardik has had some injury issues in the past, including a devastating back injury that sidelined him for over a year at one point. However, the source mentioned that his current injury had nothing to do with the previous ones and assured that there is no reason to mark him as an injury prone cricketer.

“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,” sources added.

The Baroda all-rounder was apparently fit enough to board the flight to the Rainbow Nation. However, the BCCI did not wish to rush him onto the field for bilateral series as they want him to be in his peak condition for the ICC events.

The source also pointed out that Hardik is not the first one to go through a personalised programme. The likes of Shreyas Iyer, Jasprit Bumrah, and KL Rahul had also gone through training programmes that were curated specifically for them.

“It is not something new. Shreyas, Bumrah and KL underwent similar programmes during their long injury layoffs and the routine is designed keeping the next assignments in mind. Say for KL, wicket-keeping, subcontinent heat and everything was taken into account. Similarly, Bumrah was eased into cricket with Ireland T20Is before he went full throttle in the Asia Cup,” the source added.

Hardik has been an integral part of the white-ball setup for the 'Men in Blue'. He will have to play a key role in the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA as India will look to end their drought in ICC events.