Hardik Pandya, an Indian Cricketer will miss India’s upcoming World Cup game against New Zealand in Dharamsala due to a left ankle injury sustained during the match against Bangladesh in Pune. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stated that he won’t travel with the team to Dharamsala on October 20 and will instead rejoin the squad in Lucknow, where India plays against England on October 29. The BCCI’s medical team will provide continuous supervision and rest for Pandya during this period.
Pandya incurred the injury during his first over, the ninth of Bangladesh’s Innings while attempting to stop a shot with his foot during his follow-through. He underwent scans and was unable to continue playing in that match. He is expected to receive treatment at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.
Rohit Sharma mentioned that while there’s no significant damage, Pandya’s recovery will be assessed daily due to the nature of the injury. As a vital all-rounder, Pandya’s absence poses a challenge for the Indian team as he not only contributes with the bat but also provides crucial bowling options. In the World Cup’s initial three matches, he bowled 16 overs and secured five wickets.
Finding a direct replacement for Pandya is difficult, so India may need to alter their playing combination against New Zealand. One possibility could be bringing in Suryakumar Yadav for Pandya and Mohammed Shami for Shardul Thakur. However, this would leave India with only five specialist bowlers. Despite these challenges, India has won all four of their World Cup matches so far, ranking second on the points table, trailing New Zealand in the lead based on net run rate.
What Happened to Hardik Pandya?
The whole incident unfolded when Litton Das beautifully executed a straight drive off Hardik Pandya’s delivery in the ninth over of Bangladesh’s Innings. Hardik attempted to block the ball with his right leg, but Litton’s shot was so perfectly timed that he couldn’t make the stop.
Following that, Hardik appeared to have injured his left leg as he went down on the pitch, clutching it in pain. The Indian team’s physiotherapist quickly arrived on the scene, and within a few minutes, Hardik’s leg was securely strapped.
It was heartening for the fans to witness Hardik’s determination as he stood up and prepared to resume bowling after his brief spell on the ground. Unfortunately, the pain proved too intense for him to continue playing.
