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As Team India gears up for their crucial World Cup match against New Zealand in the picturesque Dharamsala on Sunday, October 22, the absence of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, due to an ankle injury, poses a significant challenge. With Rohit Sharma at the helm, there's a growing sentiment, echoed by cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar, that India should fortify their batting lineup to effectively counter the Kiwi challenge.
Gavaskar, in a conversation with India Today, opined, "That's a very good idea. That might be what the Indian team's think-tank could look to do. Bring in Mohammed Shami so that you have a proper five-bowler quota and then include a batter as well."
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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Jay Shah, has officially confirmed Pandya's unavailability for the Dharamsala fixture. The all-rounder's injury occurred during India's recent World Cup face-off with Bangladesh. Merely three balls into his first over, Pandya suffered an ankle injury after Liton Das hit him for consecutive boundaries.
Despite this setback, the Indian side showcased their resilience, clinching a commendable seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh. This win marked India's fourth successive triumph in the ongoing ICC event.
Gavaskar further elaborated on the team's potential strategy, stating, "So make two changes basically because, with Ishan Kishan or Suryakumar Yadav, your batting gets strengthened anyway, but Shami coming in will strengthen the bowling as well. That little aspect of bowling which with Pandya's absence was getting a little bit weakened, that will be enormously strengthened."
Match preview: IND vs NZ
In the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023, New Zealand leads the pack with an impressive net run rate of +1.923. Hot on their trail is Team India, positioned second with 8 points and a net run rate of +1.659. While a triumph over the Blackcaps could catapult India to the pinnacle, the path to such a win is laden with obstacles.
Historically, the scales tip towards New Zealand. Of their nine face-offs in ODI World Cup tournaments, the Kiwis have clinched five victories. Furthermore, post the 2003 World Cup, India hasn't managed to secure a win against this formidable opponent. The performance of New Zealand's players, particularly the emerging talent Rachin Ravindra, has been particularly striking.
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