World Cup 2023: Hardik Pandya may miss upcoming match against New Zealand in Dharamsala due to ankle injury
PTC Web Desk: Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya is likely to miss India's upcoming World Cup 2023 match against New Zealand scheduled for October 22 in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh. Pandya will be sent to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, where he will receive specialised medical treatment, potentially including injections, from a doctor from England. The hope is that Pandya will rejoin the Indian team in Lucknow and make himself available for the match against England.
A BCCI official stated, "He will be directed to Bengaluru, where he has been instructed to report to the NCA. The medical team has examined his ankle scan results, and it appears that he can recover with the help of an injection. The BCCI consulted with a specialist doctor in England, who shared a similar opinion. Consequently, he will be absent from the next match."
Notably, Hardik Pandya sustained injury during a league game against Bangladesh at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune. Pandya twisted his ankle while attempting to field a drive from Bangladesh's Liton Das. He was initially taken for a scan and later joined the team, but missed the entire match due to the injury.
Despite the setback, there has been no discussion of replacing Hardik Pandya in the World Cup 2023 squad. Indian captain Rohit Sharma mentioned after the win over Bangladesh that the injury did not appear to be a major concern, and they would assess his condition and plan accordingly. Pandya's versatile skills are considered crucial to the balance of the team, given his effectiveness with challenging deliveries, the ability to deliver unexpected heavy balls, and his capability to clear the ropes.
- With inputs from agencies
