Ever since Hardik Pandya made his international debut in 2016, he has become the most important player for India Cricket Team. That India have not found a backup for Hardik in the last 7 years tells you his importance. He is even more important than Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. And with Hardik Pandya out of IND vs NZ Cricket World Cup clash, it is concerning. Having suffered an ankle injury, Hardik will miss top of the table India vs New Zealand game on Sunday.
Hardik Pandya may not have batted for a long period this Cricket World Cup but he has been the go-to bowler for India Cricket Team in the powerplay as the third seamer. With five wickets so far, he has already proven why India need him.
And when needed with the bat, Hardik has been crucial. Be it against Pakistan in Asia Cup to add a crucial stand or provide the cushion of adding someone like Shardul Thakur.
Hardik Pandya Injury Update
The all-rounder could only bowl three deliveries as he twisted his ankle while fielding in his own delivery against Bangladesh. And he could no longer field or bat in the game. After undergoing MRI scans, he was rushed to Bengaluru for further treatment.
“Team India vice-captain Hardik Pandya sustained an injury to his left ankle while fielding on his own bowling during India’s match against Bangladesh at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune.
The all-rounder was taken for scans and is advised rest. He will be under the constant supervision of the BCCI Medical Team.
“He will not be taking the flight to Dharamsala with the team on 20th October and will now join the team directly in Lucknow where India play England,” BCCI said in a statement.
Why Hardik’s absence is concerning in IND vs NZ?
India may be in good form and have won all their games, but against now the real test begins. India will face table topper New Zealand in Dharamshala on Sunday. With Hardik Pandya absent, India will be forced to make changes.
“Currently there’s one player in the team whose exit from the playing XI changes everything and that’s Hardik Pandya. Because Hardik bats in your top six. He’s your only batsman who bowls and bowls well. So, his injury has caused a lot of problems for India,” former India batter Aakash Chopra said.
Hardik Pandya the batter: Hardik was the first name on the teamsheet and would occupy No 6 slot. But now that he is absent, India have to fill in the slot. Shardul Thakur has been groomed to become a Hardik backup. Unfortunately, it hasn’t worked out. He is a seamer with some batting skills and cannot be a like-for-like replacement.
Hence, India Cricket Team must call up a batter to fill in the void. As Dharamshala is known to assist seamers and batters, India will have to make two changes instead of one. Suryakumar Yadav will come in at No 6 as a pure batter.
And that is not a perfect solution if there is any further injury in the game. Even though Virat Kohli completed Hardik’s over against Bangladesh, none of the Top 6 batters can bowl even 3 overs. That effectively dismisses the balance.
Hardik Pandya the bowler: The most tricky part is the third seamer slot. Shardul Thakur has failed miserably with the ball to be the preferred third seamer. Instead, he has only bowled overs to prevent the overusing of Hardik. And that’s the bigger problem. India will have to revert to five bowling options and won’t have the cushion of the sixth bowling option.
In IND vs NZ, Hardik Pandya the bowler will be replaced by Mohammad Shami, who can bowl 10 overs as the third seamer. Had it been any other venues with spin assistance, Ravichandran Ashwin had to come in.
Heavily relying on five bowling options will be the most concerning aspect in IND vs NZ. India will have no Plan B. And that gives New Zealand the edge in Dharamshala.
