An official from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) provided an update on India’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s injury, who twisted his knee during India’s match against Bangladesh on October 19 in Pune.
Pandya missed India’s encounter against New Zealand on October 22 in Dharamshala but the Blues sure didn’t miss the all-rounder as they were able to register a comfortable four-wicket win, their fifth consecutive in the World Cup.
Despite being in flawless form, India would need Pandya as he is one of the most important players for Rohit Sharma as contributes equally with the bat as well as the ball.
The 30-year-old is undergoing treatment for an ankle injury and an unnamed official from BCCI has confirmed that there are no plans to name a replacement for the match against England.
“It is only a sprain and nothing serious. He should be available for selection in the Lucknow match”, the BCCI official confirmed.
It must be noted that pacer Mohammad Shami replaced Pandya for the match against New Zealand and took a fifer, recording a great spell of 5-54.
Shami’s spell would surely make things difficult for Sharma when he will have to choose the playing XI on October 29.
Earlier on Sunday (October 22), Chasing the target of 274 runs, Rohit Sharma did what he does best and provided the Blues with a rapid start as they were 63-0 in the first 10 overs.
Although “The Hitman” could not complete his well-deserved half-century once again, losing his wicket to Lockie Ferguson for 46 runs, the 36-year-old had done his job by taking India ahead of the required run rate.
Sharma’s quick start gave the remaining Indian batters much-needed room to build partnerships and play according to the situation and that is what Virat Kohli did with KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja.
Kohli scored well-executed 95 runs and ensured India’s fifth win in the World Cup, which was needed as their next match is against the struggling English side in Lucknow. He was supported by Jadeja, who built a 78-run with the 34-year-old.
Batting first, New Zealand lost two early wickets for 19 runs but a 159-run partnership between Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell saved the day for the Black Caps, who looked helpless in front of the Indian bowling attack at the start.
The Black Caps kept on losing wickets at intervals but Mitchell stood and scored 130 off 127 balls, taking the Kiwis to a competitive 273-run total.
- Hardik Pandya
