Indian cricket team star and all-rounder Hardik Pandya had to leave the pitch in pain during their 2023 ODI World Cup clash against Bangladesh.
In his very first over with the ball, Pandya twisted his ankle while trying to stop a boundary by Liton Das.
He had bowled just three deliveries before going down on the ground in excruciating pain. Pandya was initially treated on the ground before he limped off to the pavilion.
Another star Indian batter Virat Kohli took it upon himself to complete the remainder of the ninth over which Pandya left halfway.
The Gujarat Titans skipper missed the next game against New Zealand. He received medical treatment at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, where a specialist doctor from England oversaw his condition.
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Is Hardik Pandya out of contention against England?
The all-rounder is once again set to miss out on action as India take on England on October 29. As per a report by PTI, Pandya will not feature in India's next three World Cup games due to a ligament tear.
A BCCI source told the agency, "The medical team under Nitin Patel is monitoring him at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. But the injury looks a bit more serious than what was first perceived. It looks like he has suffered a minor ligament tear which usually takes at least two weeks to heal. The NCA will not release him before his injury heals. The medical team has communicated to the team management that they are hopeful of putting him back on the pitch soon. The team doesn’t want to bring in a replacement. It’s ready to wait for Pandya."
How can India replace Hardik Pandya against England?
The Indian team management brought in Suryakumar Yadav in place of Hardik Pandya in their last game against New Zealand.
They are likely to keep the winning combination unchanged against the English side.
What did Harbhajan Singh say about Hardik Pandya's replacement?
"It's a big issue for India if Hardik Pandya is not fit. He sets our combination and if he doesn't play then you will have to change it. You can either play Ishan Kishan or Suryakumar Yadav as a pure batter. We are playing Shardul Thakur because of his all-rounder abilities. I think you should bring Mohammed Shami in his place as he can give you solid 10 overs," Harbhajan told Aaj Tak.
Will Hardik Pandya play in the 2023 ODI World Cup again?
The Indian team is optimistic that Pandya will recover in time to join them ahead of the knockout games in the ongoing World Cup.
What next for the Indian cricket team in the 2023 ODI World Cup?
India will take on England next on Sunday in the 2023 World Cup.
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