Hardik Pandya has been officially ruled out of the 2023 World Cup due to an ankle injury. The Indian vice-captain suffered the injury while playing in the league round match against Bangladesh at the MCA Stadium in Pune. On the third ball of his over, Pandya attempted to save a four, but he ended up injuring himself in the process.
The Indian team rested Hardik Pandya for the matches against Sri Lanka, England and New Zealand, hoping that the all-rounder would recover for the knockout matches. However, he has been ruled out of the mega event now. BCCI has named Prasidh Krishna as his replacement in the squad, and the new vice-captain is KL Rahul.
Many fans think that the selectors might have made a mistake by naming another specialist fast bowler in the squad. Here are three players who could have been better replacements.
1. Axar Patel could have replaced Hardik Pandya
Pandya is one of the rare Indian all-rounders, who can bowl 10 overs of pace and bat well in the middle-order. There is no other all-rounder on his level right now, but the Indian team management had a spin-bowling all-rounder option in Axar Patel. The all-rounder was present in India’s original WC squad, but he was ruled out due to an injury.
Patel is fit and playing for the Gujarat team in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. However, he has missed the ticket to the grand event once again.
2. Sanju Samson
India’s bowling is firing all cylinders right now. The trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj are playing their roles well. Perhaps, India could have strengthened their batting a bit by naming Sanju Samson as the replacement.
3. Yuzvendra Chahal
If India wanted a specialist bowler, they could have considered adding Chahal to the team, who is a wicket-taking bowler. The pitches will become spin-friendly in the second half of the tournament, and someone like Chahal could have been handy.
