Pune, October 20: India’s vice-captain and fast bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya will not be able to play against New Zealand due to a left ankle injury. This was confirmed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) issuing a statement today. He said that India’s next match in the 2023 World Cup is going to be against New Zealand in Dharamshala on Sunday, October 22 and Hardik Pandya will not go to Dharamshala with the team for this match.
The fourth league match of the 2023 World Cup was played against Bangladesh at the MCA Stadium in Pune. During that match, Hardik Pandya suffered a left ankle injury while fielding his ball. After this, he had to leave the field and due to his injury, he could not participate in the rest of the match. Against Bangladesh, he could bowl only three balls in his first over, Virat Kohli bowled the remaining three balls of his over.
Giving an update regarding his injury, BCCI said that Hardik Pandya has been advised to take rest. Due to this Hardik Pandya will not be able to play in India’s match against New Zealand which is going to be held on Sunday 22nd October at HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala. He has been kept under constant observation by the BCCI medical team.
Further information has been given that the sixth league match of the 2023 World Cup will be played against the defending champions England on October 29 in Lucknow, for which Hardik Pandya will reach Lucknow directly and join the Indian team.
In the absence of Hardik Pandya, Shardul Thakur is available as a fast-bowling all-rounder option in the Indian team. But he cannot be seen as Pandya’s replacement.
So far, India has played four matches in the 2023 World Cup, and by winning all the matches, the Indian team is one of the two unbeaten teams. New Zealand has also remained an invincible team by winning all its matches. Now the next match between the two unbeaten teams is going to be held on Sunday 22nd October at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala.
