The Indian team will miss the services of Hardik Pandya in their game against New Zealand in the CWC23 tournament. In a notification rolled out by BCCI, the all-rounder will be missing the match against New Zealand as he is being rushed to Bangalore for treatment for the injury he sustained during the match against Bangladesh. Hardik Pandya got injured while stopping the ball from his foot and got his ankle twisted.
The medical update by BCCI says that “Team India vice-captain Hardik Pandya sustained an injury to his left ankle while fielding on his own bowling during India’s match against Bangladesh at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune. The all-rounder was taken for scans and is advised rest. He will be under the constant supervision of the BCCI Medical Team. He will not be taking the flight to Dharamsala with the team on 20th October and will now join the team directly in Lucknow where India play England.”
Hardik Pandya is one of the premium all-rounders for the team who provides a crucial balance in the lower-order batting lineup. Hardik has also been a wicket taker in the middle alongside Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah. Most likely, Ravichandran Ashwin will be chipped in as a like for like all-rounder. Indian team can also debut Mohammed Shami in place of Hardik Pandya if the pitch favours seamers the spinners.
