IND vs NZ: India are making their case strong to win the ICC World Cup 2023. They have won four games on trott and are looking like a threatening force in the tournament. They have thumped Australia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The Kiwi challenge will be next for them and it’ll be the most toughest of the events. Both teams are undefeated so far and would be looking to extend their winning run. The match will take place on Sunday (22nd October) in Dharamsala.
IND vs NZ: Massive blow for India! Hardik Pandya to miss game against New Zealand
As the IND vs NZ game is around the corner, India has suffered a major blow. Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the game against New Zealand in the ICC World Cup 2023. BCCI released the official statement and confirmed that he won’t be travelling to Dharamsala with the team and will join in Lucknow ahead of the England clash.
Hardik Pandya got injured while bowling in the IND vs BAN game. The all-rounder slipped in the follow-through of his fourth delivery while attempting to save the boundary. He twisted his ankle and was taken off the field.
BCCI then provided a medical update on him revealing that he has been taking scans. Hardik Pandya didn’t enter the field then and later arrived in the dressing room. The scans revealed that the injury isn’t serious and it was a sort of sprain.
Even skipper Rohit Sharma after the game mentioned that his ankle his sore and is not serious but they will assess it on the morning. However even if it’s an ankle sprain, it takes a week to heal. This means that the all-rounder will be unfit for the IND vs NZ clash.
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Hardik Pandya looked in immense pain and his absence will be a big blow for India as he has been India’s most valuable player in the tournament. Although we haven’t seen much of him with the bat but he has been crucial for the team with the ball. Management would be hoping for him to return soon.
IND vs NZ: India might play Suryakumar Yadav or Ishan Kishan in place of Hardik Pandya against New Zealand
With Hardik Pandya being ruled out of the IND vs NZ game, we might see India bringing in an extra batter. One of Suryakumar Yadav or Ishan Kishan might be drafted into the XI. With conditions being tricky in Dharamsala, the team won’t risk including R Ashwin instead of him.
The inclusion of Suryakumar Yadav also might see Shardul Thakur missing from the XI. Mohammed Shami is expected to be included in the team. The seam-friendly conditions there would help him and he would be lethal for the opposition.