Crew India head coach Rahul Dravid has admitted that the steadiness of the facet might be hampered by all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s absence for the 2023 World Cup match towards New Zealand in Dharamsala on Sunday, October 22.
Pandya injured his ankle whereas making an attempt to cease a ball in his follow-through throughout India’s match towards Bangladesh in Pune. He was subsequently dominated out of the sport towards New Zealand.
At a press convention on Saturday, Dravid acknowledged that India will miss the flexibility that Pandya brings to the group..
“Hardik is a vital participant for us. He’s clearly lacking this sport and we’ll attempt to work across the 14 and see what’s the very best mixture. However we’ll clearly miss the steadiness we’ve had within the first 4 video games,” he acknowledged.
The harm to Pandya occurred within the ninth over of Bangladesh’s innings. He tried to cease a straight drive from Litton Das together with his proper leg in his follow-through, however ended up slipping within the course of. He, subsequently, limped off the sector and Virat Kohli needed to full his over.
Later, offering a medical replace on the all-rounder, BCCI confirmed that Pandya will be part of the Indian group immediately in Lucknow, the place they may face defending champions England on October 29. The BCCI replace sated:
“The all-rounder was taken for scans after his fall and has been suggested relaxation. He might be underneath the fixed supervision of the BCCI Medical Crew.”
Pandya claimed 5 wickets in India’s first three matches within the 2023 World Cup. He batted solely as soon as, scoring 11* towards Australia.
“KL Rahul has been doing a unbelievable job” – Rahul Dravid
Dravid additionally hailed KL Rahul for his retaining within the World Cup to this point. The Indian legend added that it’s a problem for the cricketer since he isn’t a daily keeper and likewise identified to the truth that he has solely just lately come again from harm. Dravid commented:
“KL Rahul has been doing a unbelievable job. Rahul has actually stored beautifully on this event and batted very well each time he has obtained an opportunity. It’s a problem since he isn’t somebody who retains recurrently. He is stored a bit greater than I did nevertheless it’s nonetheless difficult contemplating that he got here again from a protracted harm.
“We thought we’d construct him up and play him in matches main as much as the World Cup however couldn’t try this due to his harm. The best way he got here again and labored laborious is nice. He’s stored very well and it is actually good to see, which provides us a variety of confidence in his skills,” the 50-year-old added.
Rahul has been spectacular with the bat as properly, scoring 97* towards Australia and 34* towards Bangladesh.
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Edited by Renin Wilben Albert