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Team India suffered a major setback when Hardik Pandya injured his left ankle while trying to stop the ball on follow-through against Bangladesh at MCA Stadium, Pune. Pandya had bowled just three balls in the innings and despite getting medical attention in the middle, he left the field limping. Pandya did not bowl a single ball after that. Shardul Thakur did manage to take a wicket but he was a bit expensive compared to others in the nine overs he bowled.
Pandya had left for scans and the extent of his injury is yet to be made public. While Pandya is eligible to bat in the run chase, Indian team management won’t risk him until and unless his services are absolutely necessary. If the injury is serious and he may be unavailable for a few matches, India may call for a cover. Here are a few options that may work as a replacement for Pandya.
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Washington Sundar
The off-spin all-rounder was recalled for the Asia Cup final after Axar Patel got injured. Sundar did not bowl or bat in the final as India bundled out Sri Lanka for a paltry score. Sundar can bat in the lower-middle order and contribute with his off-spin as well. However, if he is recalled, Ravichandran Ashwin is more likely to make the side whereas Sundar will warm the benches.
Axar Patel
Another off-spin all-rounder, Patel was unlucky to miss the World Cup bus as he got injured in an inconsequential game against Bangladesh in Asia Cup 2023. He could not recover in time and Ashwin was recalled. Patel is handy with the bat and is capable of bowling his full quota of overs too. However, he will not add variety to the bowling attack since Ravindra Jadeja is a part of the playing XI.
Deepak Chahar
The fast-bowling all-rounder played his last ODI in December 2022. Deepak Chahar was sidelined due to a back injury. The pacer has 16 wickets from 13 ODIs. He can contribute with the bat as well. In 2021, his unbeaten half-century led India to victory against Sri Lanka. Last year, his half-century led India to the doorstep of victory against South Africa but the visitors lost the match by just four runs. Last month, Chahar claimed that he has regained fitness and is available for selection if need be.
Shivam Dube
The hard-hitting batting all-rounder Shivam Dube is another option. He has played just one ODI so far. But he is capable of providing firepower in the middle order. However, his bowling is nowhere near Pandya’s level. If he gets a chance, he will be used as the sixth bowling option who can chip in with a few overs if one of the bowlers is having a bad day at the office.
Vijay Shankar
Vijay Shankar made his last ODI appearance in the 2019 World Cup against West Indies. His inclusion as the ‘3D’ player replacing Ambati Rayudu caused controversy. However, Shankar has worked on his fitness. Under the captaincy of Pandya for Gujarat Titans (GT), he delivered a few impressive performances with the bat. Similar to Dube, Shankar will be used as the sixth bowling option as well and is unlikely anywhere near the full quota of 10 overs.
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