IND vs ENG World Cup 2023: Why is Hardik Pandya not playing India vs England match?

Hardik Pandya, the dynamic all-rounder for the Indian cricket team, remains unavailable for the crucial World Cup match against England.

Why is Hardik Pandya not playing IND vs ENG World Cup 2023 match?

The reason behind Hardik Pandya’s continued absence is attributed to an ankle injury that he suffered during a previous match against Bangladesh.

The injury to Pandya’s left ankle occurred while he was fielding during India’s match against Bangladesh at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. After sustaining the injury, he underwent scans, which confirmed the need for rest and rehabilitation. Consequently, he has not yet resumed bowling, and he is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

While there were initial speculations that Pandya might feature as a specialist batter in the match against England, the team management has since ruled out that possibility. The cautious approach adopted by the management is due to India’s strong position in the World Cup, with a solid chance of reaching the semi-finals. Rushing the all-rounder back into the team might pose unnecessary risks.

Jay Shah, the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), provided an official statement, acknowledging the ankle injury and the need for Pandya to rest and recover. The statement assured that Pandya would be under constant supervision by the BCCI Medical Team.

“Team India vice-captain Hardik Pandya sustained an injury to his left ankle while fielding on his own bowling during India’s match against Bangladesh at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune. The all-rounder was taken for scans and is advised to rest. He will be under the constant supervision of the BCCI Medical Team,”BCCI secretary Jay Shah had said in its statement, as reported by Indian Express.

As per Shah’s statement, there is optimism that Pandya may regain fitness in time to be available for the match against South Africa, scheduled for November 5 in Kolkata. His return is eagerly anticipated, as he brings a valuable all-round dimension to the Indian team.

In Pandya’s absence, the team will need to make adjustments to their lineup, with Suryakumar Yadav likely to play as a specialist batter against England. The right-handed batsman made his World Cup debut against New Zealand but faced an early dismissal, being run out for just 2 runs.

As India takes on England in this pivotal World Cup encounter, the absence of Hardik Pandya serves as a reminder of the critical role that injuries and player fitness play in the dynamics of international cricket. The team’s focus remains on maintaining their strong performance and campaign in the 2023 World Cup, with the hope of Pandya’s imminent return to bolster the squad’s capabilities.