Rohit Sharma-led India continued their unbeaten run in World Cup 2023 with a massive 302-run win over Sri Lanka at Wankede Stadium, Mumbai. After Hardik Pandya’s injury in the Bangladesh clash, the bench strength stood up to the task. Mohammed Shami made everyone wonder why he was warming the benches whereas Suryakumar Yadav showed his mettle on a tough pitch against England on a tough Lucknow pitch.
Despite India’s golden run, Pandya is expected to further bolster the hosts, especially in the semi-finals. After the win against Sri Lanka, Mohammed Siraj was asked about Pandya’s return to the side. He said he is clueless at first but then talked about the chatter in the dressing room about the all-rounder.
“Mere liye wo wrong department hai. Mujhe kuch nahi pata hai (It is not the right department for me. I don’t know anything),” Siraj told Harbhajan Singh on Star Sports.
“Abhi tak to positive hi aa raha hai, Har koi bol raha hai ki wo Netherlands ke against aa hi jayenge. (So far, it has been positive. Everyone is saying that he will be back against Netherlands.)”
Siraj indicated that he will not be fit before the clash against India's toughest opponent in the World Cup yet, the Temba Bavuma-led South Africa. India will take on the Proteas at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on November 5. India are likely to stick to their winning combination till then.
Pandya is expected to regain full fitness before taking on the Netherlands on November 12 at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, last league game of World Cup 2023.
It will be interesting to see who gets benched from the middle-order to make way for Pandya. Surya played a composed knock against England when early wickets fell. On the other hand, underfire Shreyas Iyer returned to form with a 56-ball 82 at his homeground against Sri Lanka to help India post 357/8 on the board.
So far, Pandya has only got to bat once. He remained unbeaten for 11 against Australia in the run chase. He was impressive with the ball taking a wicket against Australia followed by a couple of wickets each against Afghanistan and Pakistan. He got injured in the first over he bowled against Bangladesh.
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