Hardik Pandya's fate for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 decided while bowling at the NCA - Reports

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya will miss the remainder of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

In a major setback, Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 due to an ankle injury he sustained against Bangladesh in Pune. Pandya missed the next three games in Dharamshala, Lucknow and Mumbai. Prasidh Krishna has been announced as the replacement for all-rounder Hardik Pandya for the remainder of the tournament. Hardik Pandya will be spending his time at National Cricket Academy (NCA) for rehabilitation.

It was decided when Hardik Pandya came in to bowl in nets at the NCA. Pandya delivered 4-5 balls, but his fourth delivery was enough to give him a signal that his World Cup dreams were over. Pandya had trouble while bowling in the nets, and immediately it was decided to keep him out of the action. Indian team will be playing two more league games before the semi-finals. To keep the risk factor out of the equation, BCCI decided to announce a replacement.

Pandya knew his World Cup was over

According to a media reports, NCA’s strength and conditioning coaches asked Hardik Pandya to bowl in the nets, and they were advising him to increase his pace and speed slowly. Pandya, after a little layoff, had no trouble bowling the first three balls into the nets, but as soon as he delivered his fourth delivery, he felt a bit of pain. Pandya delivered the first three with ease, but in his fourth one, he decided to add a little more intensity, but it didn’t come off nicely.

Hardik Pandya informed the support staff about the pain he felt in his ankle after bowling a little in the nets. Pandya then went for the fifth delivery with a little softness, but the pain in his ankle increased. After that, the NCA staff decided to get another round of scans. BCCI official informed IndianExpress that, "The result showed that his bone still has swelling and it will take a few more weeks. It was then that the BCCI informed the Indian team management and selection committee to pick a replacement."

Hardik Pandya will be spending more time at NCA in rehabilitation. He was attempting to stop a straight drive coming from Litton Das's bat in Pune but landed awkwardly. Pandya was immediately taken back to the dressing room after his injury, he missed the next three games before being ruled out of the entire tournament. Team India have qualified for the semi-finals with an unbeaten run in the World Cup so far.