Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 due to injury. Pasidh Krishna will replace him in the Indian Squad. Pandya suffered an ankle injury during India’s match against Bangladesh on October 19. Due to that he was absent in England, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. Now it is confirmed that will miss out on the remaining part of the World Cup.
Hardik shared his grief on X, formerly known as Twitter. He wrote, “Tough to digest the fact that I will miss out on the remaining part of the World Cup. I’ll be with the team, in spirit, cheering them on every ball of every game. Thanks for all the wishes, the love, and the support has been incredible. This team is special and I’m sure we’ll make everyone proud. Love, always, HP.” Prasidh Krishna has been selected as Hardik’s replacement. The pace bowler has played 17 one-day internationals and two T20 matches for India, got 33 wickets overall. Krishna will now be competing for a spot in India’s pace lineup alongside Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj. Though in absence of Hardik, Indian pace is in tremendous form. So, it is tough for Prasidh to make a spot in the playing eleven.
In Bangladesh match, Hardik injured himself at the time of bowling his first and India’s 9th over. Hardik tried to stop Litton Das’s straight drive on his follow through. But unfortunately his ankle got twisted. Physio came in field. But Hardik was really in pain. He did not continue his over. He had to leave the field. Virat Kohli finished that remaining over. The all-rounder was taken for scans in the hospital. After the game against Bangladesh Rohit Sharma said, “There’s no major damage. That is good for us. But honestly, with an injury like that, you’ve got to assess every day. So we just hope that he pulls up well tomorrow morning. And then we will assess, whatever is required for us to do as a team, we’ll do that.”
Preliminary BCCI said, “Hardik 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.” BCCI also said, “He is advised rest and will be under the constant supervision of the BCCI medical team.” Then Hardik was taken to the National Cricket Academy, Bengaluru. But Hardik was unavailable against New Zealand, England and Sri Lanka. Now it is confirmed that he is out of the World Cup. According to sources, Hardik is suspected to have a ligament tear in his ankle which he suffered while trying to field off his own bowling during the match against Bangladesh in Pune.