Aakash Chopra says that if Hardik Pandya does not heal swiftly from his ankle injury suffered in India’s World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh, Team India would suffer greatly.
Hardik bowled three deliveries before leaving the field, as the Men in Blue held the Bangla Tigers to 256/8 in Pune on Thursday, October 19. The hosts then chased down the below-par total with seven wickets and 51 deliveries remaining to claim their fourth successive tournament victory.
In a video posted to his YouTube channel after reviewing the game, Chopra stated that Hardik Pandya’s likely absence might have a significant negative influence on India’s World Cup campaign. He stated:
“Hardik got injured, that’s a big one. Hardik’s injury can bring down India’s GDP, I am talking about cricket. Our heartbeats will all go wrong because the balance will be lost.”
Aakash Chopra
The former India opener stated that the seam-bowling all-rounder gives the team with the necessary balance. He stated, “
“All plans will get derailed. He bowled three balls in this match and didn’t get to bat in any case, which was good. But from where will you get the balance?”
Aakash Chopra
Hardik twisted his left ankle while attempting to block a straight drive by Litton Das off his third delivery. He was unable to continue playing because Virat Kohli bowled the remaining three balls of the unfinished over.
Aakash Chopra points out Shardul Thakur’s poor bowling due to Hardik Pandya’s injury
Shardul Thakur hasn’t been particularly productive with the ball so far in the World Cup, according to Aakash Chopra. He noticed:
“Shardul was extremely expensive at the start. He was lucky that his figures looked slightly respectable on the scorecard after making a comeback, but he is not bowling that great.”
Aakash Chopra
The cricketer-turned-commentator also stated that the circumstances at Dharamsala will not allow India to use Ravichandran Ashwin as an extra spinner.
“The next match is against New Zealand in Dharamsala. You won’t be able to play an extra spinner. So from where will you get the balance? We will have to keep an extremely close watch on Hardik Pandya because that is a very, very important aspect, as we will struggle slightly otherwise.”
Aakash Chopra
Hardik Pandya will miss India’s next game against New Zealand in Dharamsala. To guarantee that the bowling attack has enough fangs, Rohit Sharma and company will need to replace him with either Suryakumar Yadav or Ishan Kishan, and maybe play Mohammed Shami instead of Shardul Thakur.