Hardik Pandya ruled out of New Zealand clash with ankle injury

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the 2023 ODI World Cup clash against New Zealand. The match will be played on October 22 in Dharamsala. The major setback came in their recent clash against Bangladesh in Pune on October 19. Hardik twisted his left ankle and was only able to bowl three deliveries before he had to walk out of the field.

The injury occurred in the ninth over of the game; Pandya had to limp out of the field with the help of the support staff, with Virat Kohli bowling the remaining three balls of his over. Pandya returned to the field but did not bowl, while he was not needed to bat during India’s chase.

“Team India vice-captain Hardik Pandya sustained an injury to his left ankle while fielding on his own bowling during India’s match against Bangladesh at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune. The all-rounder was taken for scans and is advised rest. He will be under the constant supervision of the BCCI Medical Team. He will not be taking the flight to Dharamsala with the team on 20th October and will now join the team directly in Lucknow where India play England,” a BCCI release said.

As per a report by Cricbuzz, Pandya’s scan reports are being sent to a specialist doctor in Mumbai. Speaking of the same, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma stated that the injury was nothing serious or major to worry about.

“He pulled up a bit sore; nothing really major to worry about. We’ll see how he feels tomorrow morning and then plan how to go forward,” Rohit said.