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Indian skipper Rohit Sharma provided a major update on Hardik Pandya’s ankle injury which led to him leaving the field after bowling just three balls. After India’s seven-wicket over Bangladesh, Rohit in the post-match presentation did not reveal the extent of Pandya’s injury but said that it will be assessed on a day-to-day basis.
“He pulled up a bit sore. There is no major damage, that is good for us. But obviously with an injury like that, we have to assess every day and we will do whatever is required,” Rohit told the broadcasters.
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Pandya hobbled off the field after getting injured and was taken for scans. He returned to the dressing room but was still struggling to walk properly. India’s wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul revealed that Pandya was smiling but he is still limping.
While India won the match with Virat Kohli finishing the run chase with a six and Rahul on the other end, had more wickets fallen Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur would have come out to bat ahead of Pandya. The fast-bowling all-rounder was eligible to bat after 20 overs but he would have walked out to the middle only if it was necessary.
So far, Pandya did not get to bat as the top five batters did the job for India in the run chases. He has taken five wickets so far including two wickets each against Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to provide an update in the coming days as India will face old foes New Zealand who have been unbeaten in the tournament and are at the top of the points table. India will take on the Tom Latham-led side at HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala on October 22.
If Pandya does not recover in time, India will miss his services considering it is a venue where seamers get help from conditions. In Pandya’s absence, the team combination is bound to change which means that Suryakumar Yadav may make his ODI World Cup debut. Also, Mohammed Shami may walk into the side as India may not rely on Thakur as their fifth bowling option. Thakur bowled nine overs after Pandya left the field. He picked up a wicket but was expensive.
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