Team India received a big blow on Saturday when India all-rounder Hardik Pandya got ruled out of the ongoing Cricket World Cup due to an ankle injury. The 30-year-old twisted his ankle during IND vs BAN at the MCA Stadium in Pune on October 19. He missed India’s matches against New Zealand, England and Sri Lanka, respectively.
Also Read: India’s worst nightmare comes true, Hardik Pandya ruled out of World Cup
With Hardik ruled out, the selectors had to pick vice-captain for the remainder of the World Cup. While, fans were expecting pacer Jasprit Bumrah to be Rohit Sharma’s deputy, the management went with wicket-keeper KL Rahul.
Notably, KL Rahul was India’s designated vice-captain till last year before Hardik Pandya permanently took the role. But in the all-rounder’s absence the selectors have trusted KL to take back the role for the remainder of the World Cup.
Meanwhile the ICC’s Event Technical Committee approved pacer Prasidh Krishna’s inclusion to the squad as Pandya’s replacement.
Team India is set to face South Africa and Netherlands in their final two league matches on November 5 and 12, respectively before the semi-final clash.
The Men in Blue have been unbeaten so far in the tournament and is likely to play semi-final 1 at Wankhede Stadium on November 15.
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
