Hardik Pandya won’t play in the rest of the World Cup due to an ankle injury he got last month during the match against Bangladesh.
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India’s head coach, Rahul Dravid, believes it will have a minor impact on India’s performance. Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, who had a back injury, will take Pandya’s place.
What Was Exactly Happened To Pandya
Pandya sustained a left ankle injury while attempting to block a shot during his bowling follow-through. After a diagnosis revealed a ligament tear, the India vice-captain could not participate in matches against England, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. Subsequently, the BCCI’s medical team, based at Bengaluru’s National Cricket Academy, determined that he would be unable to play for the remainder of the tournament.
Also Read: HARDIK PANDYA RETURN DATE AND IMPACT ON TEAM INDIA’S LINEUP
Rahul Dravid On Hardik Pandya Ruled Out
“It is obvious that having the sixth option—which Hardik offered—was advantageous. However, we’ve been playing the past four games without that sixth bowling option,” Dravid mentioned before India’s upcoming match against South Africa on Sunday.
“We also had a couple of matches in the Australia series leading up to the World Cup where we were without the sixth bowling option. Yet, we managed to win two of those games, namely in Mohali and Indore, with just five bowling choices,” Dravid explained.
“We’ve faced this challenge before and responded admirably. While we may not have the luxury of a sixth bowling option in these upcoming games, our team and players have shown great adaptability in such situations. We’ve had ample experience playing matches without it,” Dravid remarked.
What Pandya Said After Ruled Out From WorldCup 2023
“It’s difficult to accept that I won’t be able to participate in the remainder of the World Cup,” Pandya shared on the messaging platform X (formerly Twitter). “I’ll be there with the team in spirit, supporting them every moment of every game. I’m grateful for all the well-wishes and the tremendous support I’ve received. This team is exceptional, and I’m confident they’ll make everyone proud.”
Hardik Pandya’s Performance In World Cup 2023
Pandya got to bat just once in the World Cup, in the six-wicket victory over Australia in Chennai. He came in at No. 6. In the seven games played, there were only three instances when the lower order had to bat. Two cases occurred when India batted first and secured massive wins – a 100-run victory against England and a 302-run win against Sri Lanka. After Pandya’s injury, India dropped Shardul Thakur. It adopted a more structured lineup, consisting of six specialist batters, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, and four specialist bowlers.
Hardik Pandya Injury Make Place For Mohammed Shami And Surya Kumar Yadav
Hardik Pandya’s injury resulted in the inclusion of Mohammed Shami, who has made a significant impact in the World Cup by taking 14 wickets in just 22 overs, with an average of 6.71 and an economy rate of 4.27. With Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj operating with the new ball and Shami joining in as the first change with a slightly older ball, India’s fast bowling has become more potent and effective. This was evident in the last match, where Shami claimed five wickets, and the pace bowlers accounted for nine wickets in the comprehensive victory over Sri Lanka at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
Suryakumar Yadav has had another opportunity to establish his place. His scores of 2, 49, and 12 still need to showcase his potential in white-ball cricket fully. However, this is the only minor setback in an otherwise successful campaign for India.
Who Will Be New Vice-Captain Of India After Hardik Pandya
India has appointed a new vice-captain for the Cricket World Cup 2023, with KL Rahul taking on the role as a replacement for the injured Hardik Pandya. Pandya’s ankle injury, sustained during the match against Bangladesh on October 19, has ruled him out of the tournament.
According to reports, Jasprit Bumrah was also considered for the vice-captaincy, but KL Rahul’s role as a wicket-keeper, providing him with a better view of the game, worked in his favour. As the new vice-captain, Rahul will now be part of all team meetings and have a say in selecting the playing XI.
India Top Order Performance In World Cup 2023
Team India, having won all seven matches, has become the first team to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the 2023 World Cup. They will be back in action on Sunday against South Africa, with the match taking place at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma scored over 400 runs in the tournament, maintaining an impressive average of over 50. Shubman Gill, who missed the first two matches due to dengue, has also been in excellent form. Despite Hardik Pandya’s absence, who has previously batted as high as No. 4, the team hasn’t felt his loss, with KL Rahul boasting an average of 79 and Shreyas Iyer beginning to find his groove.
Conclusion
In the 2023 Cricket World Cup, Hardik Pandya’s injury led to his replacement by Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna and KL Rahul as the vice-captain of the Indian team. While Pandya’s absence had an initial impact, the team adapted well, with players like Mohammed Shami and Suryakumar Yadav stepping up. Team India’s top order, led by Kohli and Rohit, has been in excellent form, propelling them into the semi-finals as the first team to qualify.
Also Read: HARDIK PANDYA RULED OUT FROM WORLD CUP 2023
