Indian cricket team suffered a significant setback prior to their match against South Africa as Hardik Pandya has been sidelined from the Cricket World Cup due to an ankle injury sustained during the Bangladesh match.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) approved Prasidh Krishna as his replacement.
Pandya posted a heartfelt message on X saying, “Tough to digest the fact that I will miss out on the remaining part of the World Cup. I’ll be with the team, in spirit, cheering them on every ball of every game. Thanks for all the wishes, the love, and the support has been incredible. This team is special and I’m sure we’ll make everyone proud.”
He was absent during India’s games against New Zealand, England, and Sri Lanka. India still has two more matches remaining, and they have already secured a spot in the semi-finals.
Pandya has secured five wickets in the first three matches of the World Cup for the host team, while pace bowler Krishna boasts 17 one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches for India, with a total of 33 wickets to his name.
Krishna will face stiff competition from Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj for a position in India’s pace bowling lineup.
India, already in the semi-finals, has performed admirably in the absence of Pandya and currently tops the table with a perfect record of seven wins from seven matches. They are set to face second-placed South Africa in Kolkata on Sunday.
