Indias vice-captain and star allrounder Hardik Pandya is set to miss the remainder of Cricket World Cup 2023 as he is yet to recover from his ankle injury, which he suffered during a league match against Bangladesh last month.
On missing the remainder of the tournament, Hardik posted a heartfelt message on his social media handles.
The allrounder, who is one of the crux of Team India, posted on X, Tough to digest the fact that I will miss out on the remaining part of the World Cup. Ill 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 Im sure well make everyone proud. Love, always, HP.
Tough to digest the fact that I will miss out on the remaining part of the World Cup. Ill 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 Im sure well pic.twitter.com/b05BKW0FgL
hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) November 4, 2023
His place in Indias squad will be taken by Prasidh Krishna, with the inexperienced fast bowler parachuted into the playing group after being approved by the tournaments Event Technical Committee on Saturday.
Krishna has just 19 white-ball appearances to his name for India and was last seen at international level when he picked up the prized wicket of David Warner in taking 1/45 from nine overs against Australia just prior to the World Cup.
While Krishna has shown signs of promise in the past with 33 international wickets, the right-armer is going to be competing with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj for a place in Indias pace unit.
With the Event Technical Committee approving Indias replacement player on Saturday, it means Krishna is available for selection for Sundays crucial World Cup clash against fellow tournament pacesetter South Africa.
India and South Africa currently occupy the top two places on the World Cup standings and the winner of Sundays match in Kolkata will be in the box seat to finish the group stage of the tournament in first spot.
(With additional inputs from UNI)
