ODI World Cup 2023
Three players who can replace Hardik Pandya in match against New Zealand
Hardik Pandya suffered an ankle twist while bowling in the 9th over of the match against Bangladesh in the ODI World Cup 2023. Hardik was soon taken to scans after the incident. The reports of the scans suggest that the star All-rounder is likely to be ruled out of the match against New Zealand. This might be a big blow for the Indian team playing against one of the best teams in the world.
Hardik is set to be taken to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, where he will be treated with utmost care. For the quick rehabilitation of Hardik, the Indian management decided to not take him with the team for Dharamshala. For now, Hardik is set to miss the game against New Zealand. It is to be seen if he can be available for the team for the matches after that.
Hardik brings balance to the Indian team. As a batter, Hardik can anchor the chase and finish the games as well. As a bowler, Hardik can bowl in different phases of the game. Hardik is very good in ground fielding and catching. Hardik is a good leader as well. It is visibly very difficult to replace someone as good as Hardik. Here are three players who might replace Hardik in his absence.
3. Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Shami (Source: Twitter)
This will be not highly likely. But since Dharamshala is known for its assistance for the pacers, the Indian team might look at promoting Shardul Thakur as a batter at number 7. Shardul has not been in a great form with the ball lately. Reducing the bowling workload and giving added responsibilities with the bat might be helpful for both Shardul and India. With the reduced pressure, Thakur might blossom as a player.
In such a case, having Shami in the playing XI might be good for India. The right arm pacer is very good with the new ball. Shami has a natural outswinger and has a terrific seam position. In the middle overs, Shami can fetch wickets for India. In the death overs, the right arm pacer can act as a good support to Bumrah. It would be good in Dharamshala, which might suit Shami’s style of bowling.
2. Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin is a champion cricketer. The star All-rounder is one of the most underrated cricketers since his debut. In ODIs, Ashwin did not get many chances in the Indian team after his failure in the Champions Trophy 2017. The emergence of the spin bowling duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal kept Ashwin out of the team for a long time. But the time has finally come for Ashwin.
In the absence of Axar Patel, Ashwin made it to the Indian team. For the first time in 8 years, Ashwin played an ODI World Cup game. Against Australia, Ashwin bowled well. Since then, Ashwin has not played a match. But the absence of Hardik might call Ashwin as a replacement. With his bowling, Ashwin is very good. The right arm batter can be handy with some useful runs from his blade.
1. Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav, without a doubt, seems to be the most obvious choice as a replacement of Hardik at this point. Hardik was in the team for several roles – Batting, bowling, and Fielding. Among them, his finishing was his key role in the team. In that regard, Suryakumar is almost a like-to-like replacement of Hardik. Although Yadav does not have that good experience at the highest level, he was good in the T20 World Cup 2022.
It was for the same reason that Suryakumar was picked in the team. In the absence of Hardik, Suryakumar might walk into the side as a finisher. Suryakumar was very good in the ODI series against Australia as a designated finisher. The exposure of Yadav in the series down the order might come handy for him and the Indian team in the big match against New Zealand.