ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Hardik Pandya ruled out of the tournament; Replacement announced

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 due to ankle injury.

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s journey in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 has come to a end as he failed to recover from an ankle injury sustained during a match against Bangladesh last month in Pune. Initially, there were hopes that the injury was not major and that Pandya would return before the knockout stages, but it has now been confirmed that he will not be a part of the tournament.

Pandya’s left ankle was injured while bowling, sending huge concerns to Indian camp. 30-year-old’s explosive batting and vital contributions with the ball made him a key player for Indian team. However, his absence will be deeply felt for the remainder of the World Cup.

To fill the void left by Pandya’s absence, Indian team have called up Prasidh Krishna. The inexperienced fast bowler has only 19 white-ball appearances for India to his name but has shown promise in the past.

Krishna’s inclusion raises the competition within India’s pace attack, as he will be fighting for a spot alongside established bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj. His selection reflects Indian team’s commitment to adapt and bring in fresh talent to maintain their World Cup aspirations.

Prasidh Krishna to replace injured Hardik Pandya

The Event Technical Committee, overseeing player replacements, gave its nod for Prasidh Krishna’s inclusion, making him available for selection in the crucial World Cup clash against South Africa. India and South Africa currently occupy the top two positions in the World Cup standings, and the outcome of this clash in Kolkata will have significant implications for the tournament’s group stage.

Hardik Pandya, meanwhile, is in National Cricket Academy (NCA), where he is undergoing rehabilitation to regain full fitness. His absence is a setback for Indian team’s quest to win the World Cup, as his ability to turn matches around with both bat and ball will be missed.

As India prepares to face South Africa and Netherlands in their remaining league games, fans can only hope that the team’s resilience and depth will allow them to overcome the loss of a key player like Pandya and continue their pursuit of World Cup glory.

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