Hardik Pandya ruled out of World Cup 2023 after ankle injury, Prasidh Krishna named replacement

Hardik Pandya would not be a part of India’s campaign for the remainder of World Cup 2023 after he failed to recover from his ankle injury. Last month, the all-rounder sustained the injury during India’s match against Najmul Hossain Shanto’s Bangladesh at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.

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Midway through his first over, the 30-year-old Hardik twisted his ankle and fell on the ground. Later, after being treated, he stood up with his leg heavily strapped. However, he failed to continue bowling and it was Virat Kohli who bowled the remaining three balls of the over.

After Hardik got injured, India included Mohammed Shami in the playing XI and the latter has already picked up 14 wickets from three matches at an economy rate of 4.27. He also picked up five-wicket hauls against New Zealand and Sri Lanka.

Prasidh Krishna, in the meantime, has replaced Pandya in the squad. The Event Technical Committee of the tournament approved the pacer as a replacement on Saturday, November 4.

Krishna is available for the match against Temba Bavuma’s South Africa to be played on Sunday, November 5 at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Krishna recently played for Karnataka in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, where he picked up five wickets in as many matches. With the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj already doing well, it is unlikely that Krishna will get a chance immediately barring any unforeseen circumstance.

In 17 ODIs thus far, Krishna has picked up 29 wickets at an economy rate of 5.60 with two four-wicket hauls to show for his efforts. He last played an ODI on September 27, 2023 when India and Australia faced each other at the SCA Stadium in Rajkot.