ICC World Cup 2023: Who can replace injured Hardik Pandya in India's XI vs New Zealand?

Indian cricket fans were left stunned when star allrounder and vice-captain Hardik Pandya left the field due to an ankle injury during the World Cup clash against Bangladesh in the ICC World Cup 2023 on Thursday (October 19).

BCCI has now released an official statement saying that the star allrounder will not be taking part in India's upcoming match against New Zealand. 

What happened

• India's victory against Bangladesh in the 2023 ODI World Cup provided Indian fans with numerous memorable moments. However, the post-match attention shifted to Pandya, who sustained an injury while bowling during the Pune game.

• During the 17th match of this World Cup between India and Bangladesh, Pacer Pandya twisted his ankle while trying to block a shot by Bangladesh opener Litton Das with his right foot in the ninth over. This unfortunate incident left him stumbling and his left ankle injured.

• Pandya, with his right ankle strapped, couldn't carry on. The star all-rounder briefly spoke with skipper Rohit before leaving the game.

Pandya to miss match against NZ

• The Indian cricket fan base was dealt another blow when a BCCI official said that the vice-captain would miss India’s much-anticipated match against New Zealand.
• An official statement from the BCCI informed that Pandya is set to travel to Bengaluru for an NCA assessment. His ankle scan report has been reviewed by the medical team, and it appears he'll recover well with an injection, a view seconded by a specialist doctor in England. As a result, he will not be available for the upcoming game.

• Pandya will undergo urgent treatment at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, where an English specialist will provide care, including possible injections.
• The Indian team anticipates Pandya's return in Lucknow and remains optimistic about his availability for the match against England.

Pandya’s likely replacement

The standout feature of the 2023 World Cup Indian team is their remarkable squad depth. Given Pandya's absence in the match versus New Zealand, several players aim to step up in place of the versatile allrounder.

Ishan Kishan

• The wicket-keeper batsman filled in for Shubman Gill during India's 2023 World Cup initial matches but couldn't make a lasting impact, subsequently being dropped upon Gill's return.
• At 25, he's eager for another chance and could bolster India's batting lineup.

Suryakumar Yadav

• Suryakumar Yadav, a former teammate of Pandya in the Mumbai Indians, is known for his dynamic and tenacious batting style, making him a strong candidate to replace Pandya in the starting lineup.
• Despite a recent slump with the bat, this might be SKY’s opportunity to regain his place in the squad.

Ravichandran Ashwin

• R Ashwin, an experienced World Cup player, is India's sole link to the 2011 World Cup win aside from Virat Kohli. His strong potential to step in for Pandya in India's match against New Zealand makes him a compelling, unexpected option.
• Ashwin may not be the top choice as an all-rounder, but he consistently proves his worth with both the bat and ball, likely a key reason for his selection in place of Pandya.

India's next match in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 is on October 22, 2023, at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala.