India have been dealt a major blow with the semi-finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 approaching. Their star allrounder Hardik Pandya has failed to recover from an ankle injury and hence, has been ruled out from the remainder of India’s world cup campaign.
Pandya has reacted to the development on social media.
The 30-year-old has said missing the rest of the ODI showpiece is a fact that’s ‘tough to digest’ but says he will be cheering his India teammates and expects them to make ‘everyone proud’.
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“Tough to digest the fact that I will miss out on the remaining part of the World Cup,” Pandya wrote on his social media accounts soon after ICC announced the news.
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“I’ll be with the team, in spirit, cheering them on every ball of every game. Thanks for all the wishes, the love, and the support has been incredible. This team is special and I’m sure we’ll make everyone proud. Love, always, HP,” he added.
Pandya twisted his left ankle while fielding on follow through during a league match between India and Bangladesh in Pune.
Pandya was eventually taken for scans before it emerged he will miss few matches and could make his comeback around the semi-finals.
India had to fill the vacancy left by his absence with a specialist bowler in Mohammed Shami and a specialist batter in Suryakumar Yadav in their playing XI for their remaining matches.
The ICC technical committee has approved fast bowler Prasidh Krishna as Pandya’s replacement.
Pandya’s absence surely will dent India considering the balance he lends to the side thanks to his dual role of being a fast bowler and ability to play to both anchor the innings and switch to the role of a finisher when required.
India have already qualified for the semi-finals and will next take on South Africa in their eighth match of the campaign on Sunday in Kolkata.
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