Hardik Pandya's Injury Has Caused A Lot Of Problems For India, Says Aakash Chopra Ahead of WC Clash vs New Zealand

India most definitely had their way with Bangladesh in the ICC Cricket World Cup fixture yesterday, but it wasn’t all rosey for the Men in Blue, as all-rounder Hardik Pandya suffered an ankle injury whilst bowling in the first innings against Bangladesh.

Pandya received attention by the physio moments after hurting his ankle on the field but looked in pain while he tried a mock run-up post treatment. Even the strapping on the left ankle didn’t ease the pain and he had no option but to limp off the field in the ninth over – his first – of the innings.

The all-rounder was then taken for scans at a nearby hospital in Pune but returned to the ground and was spotted sitting and chatting in the dressing room with coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma.

And with the BCCI putting out an official statement stating that Pandya would be ruled out for time being, an air of tension has arisen in the Indian camp.

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India are poised to face off against dreaded rivals and WC table toppers New Zealand on Sunday in an encounter to decide who is the top gun in the tournament.

In fact, India have not beaten New Zealand since the 2003 World Cup, with the BlackCaps setting an unprecedented 5-0 winning streak over the hosts thus far.

So, the Indians can rest assured that they will be in for their sternest test of the tournament so far, and losing Pandya in such a situation puts pressure on the squad.

Hosting JioCinema’s daily sports show ‘#AAKASHVANI,’ Aakash Chopra spoke about the impact Hardik Pandya’s absence from the match against New Zealand in Dharamsala on Sunday could have on team India’s composition.

“You may take this with a fist of salt if you like, but the truth is if any of your batters, be it Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli or KL Rahul, or any of your bowlers be it Mohammed Shami, (Mohammed) Siraj or (Jasprit) Bumrah has to sit out of a few matches for whatever reason, the balance of your team will not be affected. The DNA of the team won’t change.

“But, currently there’s one player in the team whose exit from the playing XI changes everything and that’s Hardik Pandya. Because, Hardik bats in your top six. He’s your only batsman who bowls and bowls well. So, his injury has caused a lot of problems for India,” said Chopra.

READ: “Hum Aisa Cricket Nahi Khelte Hain Ki ….” – Rohit Sharma’s Reply to New Zealand’s Superior World Cup Record vs India Will Leave you in Splits

Speaking about the options in front of India, Chopra said: “One option that they have is to play Suryakumar Yadav at No. 6. The other change that I see is Mohammed Shami may be brought into the side, so you see the balance will be affected.”

Whatever change may come, the Men in Blue will have to gear up quick, as they will face off against the Kiwis in Dharamshala tommorrow.