Hardik Pandya may be ready for the January Afghanistan series: Jay Shah

Several cricket academies will soon operate in the northeastern provinces of India, according to confirmation from Jay Shah, the secretary of the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India). Numerous new academies will also be established in Jammu and Kashmir.

It is important to note that the northeastern states have long been overlooked when it comes to the advancement of cricket. That will alter with the BCCI’s latest program, though. Shah claims that the academies are almost finished.

The Northeast States’ academies will be operational shortly; most likely, by mid-August, the Northeast’s academies and the new NCA in Bengaluru will open. And the Jammu & Kashmir Academy project has commenced,” Shah declared during the just-finished WPL 2024 auction.

Although we have extended the deadline, the deal has not yet been finalized. Jay Shah

Shah also made remarks on Rahul Dravid’s term as India’s head coach. The BCCI extended the contract of the former Indian cricket player as coach, and Shah stated that the length of his stay would be determined once he returned from the tour of South Africa.

“The contract has not yet been finalized, but we have granted the extension. We had no time at all; they concluded (with the World Cup), and when I met with them, we both decided that they would go on. When they go back from South Africa, we’ll sit down and make a decision,” Shah remarked.

He also provided an update on Hardik Pandya, the Indian all-round player. The best player is still off the field after hurting himself during the ODI World Cup in 2023. Shah did, however, come forth and say that Pandya may return in January when India plays a three-match Twenty20 International series against Afghanistan.

“We are keeping an eye on it every day. He is training really hard at NCA exclusively, and we will notify you as soon as he is fit. Shah continued, “He could be ready before the Afghanistan series as well.