Hardik Pandya’s time in the World Cup got cut short. This unfortunate event was due to an ankle injury. Hardik Pandya, India’s all-rounder, and vice-captain hurt himself in a game. This happened in a league stage match. It was against Bangladesh and it happened in Pune. He got hurt trying to stop the ball in his follow-through.
Following the findings of the scans and a trip to the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore, the player was anticipated to return for the tournament’s final stages. However, the decision to pick a substitute was taken only before Team India’s last league stage match against the Proteas. In lieu of the all-rounder, pace bowler Prasidh Krishna has been appointed to the team.
The swelling surrounding the wounded area reappeared, prompting team management to make the decision, according to a BCCI official. On the condition of anonymity, a BCCI source informed PTI:
“As it has been said earlier, Pandya doesn’t have any fracture and only had minor tear. He had resumed training but suddenly considerable amount of swelling developed in left ankle region and he wouldn’t have been fit to bowl.”
“This is not some injury which could be managed with injections. Considerable swelling resurfaced on Thursday and unless it subsides, he can’t do skills training for some more time.”
BCCI Official
In the absence of Hardik Pandya, Team India has turned to specialized players and now has a stable playing XI. Shardul Thakur, the all-rounder, was omitted from the squad, while Suryakumar Yadav and Mohammed Shami have settled in nicely over the previous few games.
Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson and Prasidh Krishna: The Top Contenders to Replace Hardik Pandya in World Cup
The management was expected to bring in another all-rounder, such as Axar Patel, to replace Hardik Pandya in the World Cup team. The thought tank, however, took an entirely different approach, bringing in Prasidh Krishna as a backup to the in-form speed three of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami.
According to the PTI report, the three candidates to replace Hardik Pandya were Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, and Prasidh Krishna. With Shardul Thakur and R Ashwin already in the team, the selectors did not appear to be keen in bringing in an all-rounder.
Because Ishan Kishan provides both left-handed batting and back-up wicket-keeping, the possibility of bringing in Varma or Samson was ruled out.
On Sunday, November 5, Team India will face the Proteas at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.