Team India led by Rohit Sharma got off to a scintillating start to their World Cup 2023 campaign. The Men in Blue started their campaign with a victory over Australia before going on to beat the likes of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh to make it four wins in a row.
During India’s recent encounter against Bangladesh in Pune, India’s all-rounder Hardik Pandya injured his left ankle while trying to stop Litton Das’ straight drive. The physios rushed onto the field and gave temporary treatment but that didn’t pay off as the all-rounder was taken off the field.
Hardik Pandya was sent for scans and further results are awaited. Meanwhile, Aakash Chopra warned the Indian cricket team over Hardik Pandya’s injury, adding that it has changed the total structure of the team. Even Rahul Dravid echoed that India’s balance is not the same without the injured Hardik Pandya.
While speaking on JioCinema’s daily sports show ‘#AAKASHVANI’, Aakash Chopra said, “You may take this with a fist of salt if you like, but the truth is if any of your batters, be it Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli or KL Rahul, or any of your bowlers be it Mohammed Shami, (Mohammed) Siraj or (Jasprit) Bumrah has to sit out of a few matches for whatever reason, the balance of your team will not be affected.”
He further added, “The DNA of the team won’t change. But, currently, there’s one player in the team whose exit from the playing XI changes everything and that’s Hardik Pandya. Because Hardik bats in your top six. He’s your only batsman who bowls and bowls well. So, his injury has caused a lot of problems for India.”
Team India will lock horns with New Zealand on October 22, Sunday at HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala. The pitch is conducive to the fast bowlers who are likely to thrive and extract much on the surface. New Zealand are also unbeaten in the competition apart from India and they are on top of the table with four wins.
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