In a recent turn of events, the Indian cricket team faces a formidable challenge – the absence of Hardik Pandya. The scarcity of quality seam-bowling all-rounders has been a perpetual concern for India, and the void left by Hardik’s injury is a significant hurdle that Captain Rohit Sharma and the team management must address.

Hardik Pandya’s recent injury occurred during the match against Bangladesh, where he suffered an ankle injury while trying to field on his own bowling, just three balls into his spell in Pune. The pain was evident, and he had to hobble off the field. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that he would not travel with the team to Dharamsala for their next match against New Zealand. Instead, he would head to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru for medical observation.

While the initial scans revealed no major issues, the uncertainty regarding his return remains. The team management is hopeful that he will recover in time for the England match in Lucknow on the 29th. However, the immediate challenge is the New Zealand match, and addressing the gap left by Hardik.

Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh weighed in on the situation, suggesting that Rohit Sharma might have to make two changes to fill the void left by Hardik. Given the conditions in Dharamsala, which tend to favor swing, Harbhajan recommends picking seamer Mohammed Shami over Ravichandran Ashwin, an off-spinner.

At No. 6, Harbhajan suggests including either Ishan Kishan or Suryakumar Yadav as a pure batter, with the latter being the preferred choice due to his ability to finish games. He emphasizes the importance of replacing Hardik with a quality all-rounder like Shami, who can provide ten solid overs.

The absence of Hardik Pandya presents India with one of their biggest challenges in the World Cup. So far, the team has functioned smoothly, with various players contributing to their success. Jasprit Bumrah has been a consistent breakthrough provider, while spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja have stifled opposition in the middle overs. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been pillars of strength while chasing.

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“It’s a big issue for India if Hardik Pandya is not fit. He sets our combination and if he doesn’t play then you will have to change it. You can either play Ishan Kishan or Suryakumar Yadav as a pure batter. We are playing Shardul Thakur because of his all-rounder abilities. I think you should bring Mohammed Shami in his place as he can give you solid 10 overs,” Harbhajan told Aaj Tak.

However, New Zealand’s remarkable form adds complexity to the equation. Sitting atop the table with four consecutive wins, they pose a significant threat. In Hardik’s absence, India faces a dilemma of breaking away from their preferred combination of eight batting options and six bowling options.

If Rohit Sharma adheres to Harbhajan’s advice, selecting Shami for Shardul and Suryakumar for Hardik, India will bolster their batting but compromise on their bowling depth. With Shami, Bumrah, Kuldeep, and Siraj in the lineup, India will have an extended tail. However, with no apparent alternative, it seems like the logical choice.

The post “If Hardik doesn’t play then you will…”: Harbhajan Singh Named Hardik Pandya’s Replacement For The Match Against New Zealand In ODI World Cup 2023 appeared first on CricInformer.