World Cup 2023: Injured Hardik Pandya unlikely to feature in India-England clash in Lucknow
World Cup 2023: Injured Hardik Pandya unlikely to feature in India-England clash in Lucknow
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All-rounder and vice-captain Hardik Pandya is reportedly expected to miss out on India’s upcoming ICC World Cup clash against England in Lucknow on Sunday.
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Pandya had suffered an ankle injury during the team’s eight-wicket victory over Bangladesh, bowling just three deliveries. The injury however, isn’t too serious a matter according to board insiders, and Pandya will not be rushed into action right away even if he regains full fitness.
“Yes, Hardik is likely to miss the next match vs England in Lucknow. It is more of a precaution at this stage and nothing serious,” a BCCI official was quoted as saying in a report on News18 Cricketnext.
The Gujarat Titans captain was ruled out of the clash against New Zealand, in which Mohammed Shami and Suryakumar Yadav were drafted into the XI for the first time in the ongoing World Cup.
Shami would make the most of the opportunity by collecting five for 54 — his second World Cup five-for and third overall in ODIs — as India bowled New Zealand out for 273 after opting to bat at the HPCA Stadium.
Read | Shami’s performance should force Team India to redraw their strategy
The Indians got off to another cracking start in reply thanks to skipper Rohit Sharma’s blazing 46, before Virat Kohli decided to take over and anchor another successful run chase.
Kohli tried bringing up ODI century number 49, which could have taken him level with Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time record, but was dismissed for 95 with India on the cusp of victory.
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All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who chipped in with a valuable 39 not out and forged a crucial 78-run partnership with Kohli, hit the winning boundary as India defeated New Zealand in an ICC event for the first time in two decades.
With Pandya unlikely to feature in Sunday’s contest, the Men in Blue — who are the only remaining undefeated team in the tournament, are likely to retain the combination that conquered the Black Caps.
