In a massive blow to Team India, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the remainder of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, after failing to recover from his ankle injury.
Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna has been named as Hardik’s replacement and will be available for Sunday’s clash against the Proteas at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Pandya sustained the injury in the match against Bangladesh in Pune on October 19, when he seemingly twisted his left ankle while attempting to block a shot during his follow-through. He looked in discomfort straightway and as a result, he remained absent from the remainder of the game and underwent scans.
Subsequently, Pandya missed India’s World Cup games against New Zealand, England, and Sri Lanka.
The BCCI and the team management held onto hope that Pandya would recover in time for the semifinals, but, unfortunately, he has not managed to fully regain his fitness.
This is a huge setback for the Indian team as Pandya provided a much-needed balance to the playing XI.
India, having already booked their spot in the semi-finals, have two more league matches to play.
More to follow.