Kolkata: India seemed to have received a jolt after its unbeaten start to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup amid reports that all-rounder Hardik Pandya is yet to recover from his ankle injury and will miss the remainder of the tournament.
The star all-rounder hurt his left ankle while bowling during India’s World Cup match against Bangladesh in Pune last month. Reports said the 30-year-old has failed to recover in time.
Pandya’s place in India’s squad will be taken by fast bowler Prasidh Krishna. His name has reportedly been approved by the tournament’s Event Technical Committee on Saturday.
Krishna 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 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.
