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India’s swashbuckling all-rounder Hardik Pandya got injured while trying to stop the ball on his follow-through. Pandya could not complete his over and had to leave the field. Later, he was taken for scans and the extent of his left ankle injury is not yet clear. Pandya did not return to the field till the 40th over of Bangladesh’s innings. The all-rounder is a vital cog in India’s middle order and he may have to bat down the order despite wickets falling early in the run chase.
If Pandya does not take the field for the entire innings, he will be eligible to bat only after 20 overs are bowled or India lose five wickets in the run chase. Pandya usually comes to bat at no.6 until and unless a left-arm spinner is operating. If Pandya’s services with the bat are needed he may walk out to bat at no.7.
The incident took place in the ninth over of the innings. On the third ball, he tried to stop the ball with his right leg and slipped in the process. He was down on the ground immediately. He received medical attention in the field. His ankle was taped and Hardik got up to check if he was feeling fine to resume bowling. However, Pandya was hobbling and had to leave the field.
Pandya’s over was completed by Virat Kohli. The former Indian skipper bowled the remaining three balls and conceded just two runs. He conceded just two singles from the three balls he bowled.
Pandya may come out to bat but he will not be able to take quick singles. In this case, Shardul Thakur may bat up the order in the run chase at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune.
In Pandya's absence, Thakur bowled nine overs, the most he has bowled in a match in World Cup 2023 so far. He managed to take the wicket of Towhid Hridoy but conceded 59 runs. Bangladesh managed to post 256/8 after Shanto won the toss and opted to bat first. In the slog overs, Mahmudullah pushed the scoring rate with his 36-ball 46 that featured three fours and as many sixes.
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