ICC World Cup 2023: Hardik Pandya Ruled Out, India Announce Prasidh Krishna As Replacement
New Delhi: Rohit Sharma and co received a massive jolt in the ICC World Cup 2023 ahead of their South Africa clash as star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has failed to recover from his ankle injury and will miss the remainder of the tournament.
Pandya hurt his left ankle while bowling during India’s World Cup match against Bangladesh in Pune last month and as a result he has failed to recover in time.
India cricketer, Dinesh Karthik who is not part of this year’s World Cup squad, took to social media to express his displeasure after Pandya’s omission from the squad.
Ohhhhh NOOOOOOOO#hardikpandya
— DK (@DineshKarthik) November 4, 2023
His place in India’s squad will be taken by Prasidh Krishna, with the inexperienced fast bowler parachuted into the playing group after being approved by the tournament’s Event Technical Committee on Saturday.
Krishna has just 19 white-ball appearances to his name for India and was last seen at international level when he picked up the prized wicket of David Warner in taking 1/45 from nine overs against Australia just prior to the World Cup.
While Krishna has shown signs of promise in the past with 33 international wickets, the right-armer is going to be competing with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj for a place in India’s pace attack.
With the Event Technical Committee approving India’s replacement player on Saturday, it means Krishna is available for selection for Sunday’s crucial World Cup clash against fellow tournament pacesetter South Africa.
India and South Africa currently occupy the top two places on the World Cup standings and the winner of Sunday’s match in Kolkata will be in the box seat to finish the group stage of the tournament in first spot.