India’s Hardik Pandya falls to the ground after injuring his left ankle during their match against Bangladesh in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, in Pune on October 19, 2023.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Hardik Pandya is set to miss the battle for the top spot in the World Cup league stage on Sunday after injuring his left foot during India’s facile win against Bangladesh in Pune on Thursday. The allrounder is set to leave for the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for treating his injury.

The Hindu understands that Hardik Pandya did not leave for Dharamshala on Friday as the rest of the India squad boarded a chartered flight from Pune. While the Indian team management or the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to issue an official update after the scan results, it is understood that Hardik’s scan has revealed a minor muscle tear.

The team’s medical staff after consulting experts feels a cortisone shot may help Hardik recover in time for the next weekend’s game against England, in Lucknow on October 29.

A cortisone shot helps an athlete relieve of pain and subside swelling much quicker, thereby hastening recovery. The weeklong gap after the clash against New Zealand may give Hardik enough time to recover in time and reduce the impact of his absence for the team.

A muscle sprain can only be healed with rest, icing, strapping the portion and keeping it elevated. Hardik suffered the injury off the third ball he bowled, while attempting to stop Litton Das’ straight drive off his own bowling. After being unable to stop the ball by stretching his right leg, he seemed to have fallen awkwardly on his left foot, thereby hurting it more than the right ankle.

Hardik’s unavailability for the key clash against New Zealand will mean India will have to make reshuffle its preferred combination of going in with six bowling options and eight batters.

Hardik Pandya being given medical treatment after injuring his left ankle while bowling during India’s match against Bangladesh in the ICC World Cup 2023 at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on October 19, 2023.
| Photo Credit: ANI

In a major injury scare for India, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya hobbled off the field after twisting his ankle while bowling his first over in a World Cup match against Bangladesh in Pune on Thursday (October 19).

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Pandya suffered the injury during the third delivery of the ninth over when he attempted to stop a straight drive from Bangladesh opener Litton Das with his right foot in his follow-through.

He twisted his ankle as the ball passed under his leg and he stumbled to the ground.

On air, former England captain Nasser Hussain confirmed that Pandya will not be taking the field for the remainder of Bangladesh innings.

A little later, BCCI in it medical update, said: “Hardik Pandya’s injury is being assessed at the moment and he is being taken for scans”.

Pandya felt discomfort from the moment he stood up before getting his right ankle strapped, resulting in in a long delay. He hobbled towards his bowling mark before realising that he could not carry on and walked off the field.

Suryakumar Yadav came in as the substitute fielder.

Virat Kohli bowls in an ODI for the first time since 2017

Much to the cheer of the crowd, Virat Kohli rolled his arm over to complete the over. This was the first time after six years (2017) when Kohli rolled his arm in an ODI.

The Indian team management will be anxiously waiting for the result of Pandya’s scans as he lends a critical balance to the team composition.

He has been used as the first change option ahead of Shardul Thakur. With India’s top order firing, Pandya has not had much to do at number six but his batting skills are as important as his seam bowling.