All-rounder Hardik Pandya will miss Sunday’s 2023 World Cup encounter against England in Lucknow due to his ongoing recovery from a left ankle injury, according to Team India batsman KL Rahul. In addition, he encouraged Suryakumar Yadav to do well in Pandya’s absence.
Pandya injured his ankle during India’s follow-through against Bangladesh in Pune when he attempted to block a stroke with his leg. Then, on October 22, he was absent from the World Cup match in Dharamsala versus New Zealand. Suryakumar, the all-rounder’s replacement, was dismissed for two after confusion with Virat Kohli.
In an interview prior to the game, Rahul discussed the team’s plans without Pandya, saying:
“Hardik has been a very important member of the team .. so not having him is also a bit of a miss for the team. Surya will probably get his chance and we know what he can do. So our confidence is in Surya till Hardik comes back.”
KL Rahul
India is the only team that hasn’t lost a match in the 2023 World Cup, boasting a perfect record of five victories from five games. Meanwhile, defending champions England are having a tough time, stuck at the bottom of the points table with four losses from their five games. However, India’s Rahul insists they won’t be underestimating England.
“They’re still a dangerous team. We’ll not go by what has happened with them in the last few games. We’ll focus on tomorrow [Sunday].”
KL Rahul
England folded at 156 in their previous encounter, losing to Sri Lanka by eight wickets.
“It’ll be a great opportunity if we get to bat first” – KL Rahul
Interestingly enough, every victory that India’s achieved in the current World Cup has been earned while they were chasing their opposition. The 31-year-old player confessed that going to bat first in some of the upcoming league matches would indeed present them with an exciting challenge.
“It’ll be a great opportunity if we get to bat first before the next stage. In the next four games if we can get to bat first it’ll be a good challenge for us to just see how to pace the innings and it’s been some time since we’ve batted first.”
KL Rahul
When asked how preparations and an aggressive mentality had helped India be so consistent in the competition, the keeper-batter said.
“I think it’s just how we’ve been really aggressive. And also, our preparations have been really, really good, and very particular, very spot on from the time at least I’ve come back into the team since the Asia Cup.”
“I think the players have gotten enough chances and enough time in their particular role. So, yeah, that again, I think goes down to preparation. We’ve prepared really well. So that’s where the confidence is coming from.”
KL Rahul
After four innings of play, KL Rahul has scored 97, 19, 34*, and 27 runs.