Shillong, October 20: India’s all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, is highly unlikely to feature in the upcoming game against New Zealand in Dharamsala on October 22 after sustaining a left ankle injury during the match against Bangladesh.
As per a report in India Today, the injury occurred while he was bowling his first over, causing him to slip and awkwardly land beside the pitch. Due to the severity of the injury, Pandya was unable to put pressure on his left foot and had to be assisted off the field by the Indian support staff.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced during the game that Pandya was sent for scans and would not participate further in the India vs. Bangladesh match. It has now been learned that instead of traveling to Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, Pandya will seek medical assistance at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.
Pandya’s absence is a significant setback for India, especially with Dharamsala typically favoring fast bowlers. He played a vital role as the first change bowler in India’s World Cup matches, posting impressive figures against Pakistan and Afghanistan.
India and New Zealand are the only two unbeaten teams in the World Cup 2023 so far, and their clash in Dharamsala will determine the group table’s top position. Rainfall is expected during the match, which could favor the fast bowlers and potentially impact the game.