World Cup 2023: Hardik Pandya likely to miss England clash – Reports

India’s vice-captain Hardik Pandya is likely to miss the next match against England as he continues to recover from the ankle injury, that he suffered while bowling in the match against Bangladesh. Pandya twisted his left ankle while diving to stop the ball in his follow through and he was seen withering in pain.

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma revealed that Hardik Pandya’s injury is not serious and thus he should be fit to play soon. However, as per reports in CricketNext, Pandya is yet to fully recover from his injury and he is all set to miss the big clash against England. The all-rounder also could not play against New Zealand and thus India had to bring in Mohammed Shami and Suryakumar Yadav.

A BCCI official told News18: “Yes, Hardik is likely to miss the next match vs England in Lucknow. It is more of a precaution at this stage and nothing serious.”

Meanwhile, it is well known that Hardik Pandya adds great balance to the team as a seam-bowling all-rounder. Pandya hasn’t had much to do with the bat in the first four matches but he has done a fine job with the ball.

On the other hand, India has won all five matches in the ongoing ODI showpiece and they have been a force to reckon with while playing in their own conditions.

The Men in Blue defeated New Zealand by four wickets after Mohammed Shami returned with impressive figures of 5-54 whereas Virat Kohli scored another match-winning knock of 95 runs in the run-chase of 274.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been in terrific form for the team as they have scored 311 and 354 runs respectively in the five matches of the World Cup 2023.

India will next take on reigning champions England at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Sunday.