Hardik Pandya to not feature in IND-AFG T20I series, expected to return in IPL 2024 - Reports

Hardik Pandya has been the talk of the town recently. The star all-rounder is currently nursing an injury that he sustained during the ODI World Cup, and his return is much awaited. Pandya has been under intense scrutiny, and there is a lot of buzz over his return timeline. Ahead of the IND-AFG series, which is set to happen next year, a new update has surfaced over Hardik's health.

3 things you need to know 

• Hardik Pandya has been named as the captain of the Mumbai Indians
• Pandya will replace Rohit Sharma as the franchise captain
• Hardik sustained an ankle injury that has kept him out of action since the ODI World Cup  

Also Read: 'His overseas batting has been sensational': Manjrekar feels star player's absence affects India

New Hardik Pandya Update: All-Rounder to miss T20I series, could be fit ahead of IPL 2024

The Hardik Pandya injury saga has a new update as the star All-Rounder, who was anticipated to be back soon, will not feature in the India vs Afghanistan T20I series, per ANI reports. The reports also state that he will be fired before the IPL 2023 season, which would suggest that he will be taking over as the captain of Mumbai Indians in 2024.

Also Read: 'He's made himself undroppable in all three formats': Sunil Gavaskar goes gaga over India star

Hardik Pandya has missed out on international action as he could not compete in the T20I series against Australia and the ongoing All-format series against South Africa. Suryakumar Yadav led the T20I team, while KL Rahul was the skipper for the ODI squad against the Proteas. Rohit Sharma is currently leading the test squad.

With Pandya unavailable, who will lead India against AFG in T20Is?

Concern may emerge as Team India will be without a potent skipper in the T20I series against Afghanistan. With Hardik being unavailable and Suryakumar Yadav out of action with an injury, the team may lean on KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah or Rohit Sharma to lead the squad. However, given that both players are in the SA series, fatigue could be a concern.

Another option for the selectors could be Sanju Samson, whose gritty ODI ton against South Africa has put him on the map. He could receive the chance to lead the national team.