India Cricket Team is currently keeping their fingers crossed about Hardik Pandya. There is no replacement for the all-rounder and as the captain Rohit Sharma put it, he is no out of the woods yet. With IND vs NZ within 72 hours, Team India will have to play without Hardik in a crunch clash with table-toppers. While it is bad news in terms of combination, it could be a good opportunity for Suryakumar Yadav and Mohammad Shami. India will have to call up both in India vs New Zealand Cricket World Cup game.
The reason? There is no like-for-like replacement for Hardik Pandya. And without the balance Hardik provides, India need both a batter at No 6 and a seamer who can bowl 10 overs.
Suryakumar Yadav is in the squad as the cover at No 6. And after warming the bench, it could be a chance for Mohammad Shami in IND vs NZ in Dharamshala.
Hardik Pandya Injury Update:
Hardik twisted his left ankle while bowling his first over against Bangladesh. And it came as a big blow. He was rushed to the hospital for scans. While the report is awaited, it is concerning for the India Cricket Team.
Pandya will be transported urgently to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, where he will receive treatment from an English specialist physician and perhaps receive injections. Pandya is anticipated to go to Lucknow with the Indian team, and the team is optimistic that he would be available for the match against England.
“Hardik pulled up a bit sore, nothing really major to worry. We’ll see how he pulls up tomorrow morning and then plan on how to go forward,” Rohit Sharma said at the post-match.
The all-rounder hasn’t been needed to showcase his batting skills so far with the Top 5 doing the heavy lifting. He has played as a proper third seamer. He has picked up 5 wickets in three games. And that is more concerning in IND vs NZ clash. With ankle twists, it often takes about 3-4 days to get better if there is no ligament damage. And in the case of Hardik Pandya, the heavy strapping and the way he hobbled off the ground on Thursday did not inspire confidence.
The problem with such ankle twists or sprains is that fast bowlers worry about landing after the delivery. And if Pandya the bowler is unavailable, India will have to look for a full-time seamer in Mohammad Shami.
The other seamer Shardul Thakur isn’t trustworthy. He went for 59 runs in 9 overs in exchange for a wicket against Bangladesh. And that is not a good sign. So far Shardul has played in Hardik’s shadows. But it won’t be the case anymore.
IND vs NZ Chance for Shami & SKY
However, if Hardik Pandya does miss out, Rohit Sharma will have to make two changes to fill in the gap. He has to swap Hardik the bowler with Mohammad Shami and Hardik the batter with Suryakumar Yadav. Shardul Thakur will have no place in IND vs NZ.
And if there is a hint of turn, instead of Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin will come in. However, Dharamshala has historically aided seamers. And with the weather around, it is unlikely that India will need an extra spinner. Hence, Shami will be the man if Hardik misses out.
Shardul’s poor bowling returns could cost his place in IND vs NZ clash as New Zealand are far better batting side than Bangladesh or Afghanistan.
In that case, SKY will fit into No 6 while Shami will be the third seamer along with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.
India Squad for Cricket World Cup 2023
Batters: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav
WKs: Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul (VC)
Seam all-rounders: Shardul Thakur
Spin all-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin
Seamers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Spinner: Kuldeep Yadav
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