Pune (TIP)- When the television camera zoomed into the Indian dressing room during the drinks break after the 17th over of the India innings, it captured the worried face of captain Rohit Sharma sitting next to his allrounder Hardik Pandya, surrounded by coach Rahul Dravid, batting coach Vikram Rathour and other members of the support staff. The grim picture was a result of a freak ankle injury Pandya suffered while bowling the ninth over of the Bangaldesh innings on Thursday. Every team has a few irreplaceable players and in the Indian cricket team, Pandya is that player. The home side’s game plan for the World Cup has been based on his batting at No 6 and chipping in with crucial overs too.
But Pandya appeared to twist his ankle in his follow-through while trying to stop a straight drive off Litton Das. He did not return to the field for the remainder of the innings and in their update posted on social media platform X (Twitter) by the BCCI stated: “Hardik Pandya’s injury is being assessed at the moment and he is being taken for scans.”
In a chat just after the seven-wicket win, Rohit revealed: “He pulled up a bit sore. There is no major damage, that is good for us. But obviously with an injury like that, we have to assess every day and we will do whatever is required.” Coming in place of Jasprit Bumrah from the Press Box end, Pandya’s third ball was driven straight down the ground by Litton Das, and almost by reflex, the bowler stuck his right foot out to stop it, but he got into a tangle and ended up overstretching his left leg and twisting his ankle.
After getting treatment from the physio, Pandya tried to go back to his bowling mark but was visibly hobbling and was forced to leave the field. Virat Kohli stepped in to complete the last three balls of the over.
Given how important his role is to the team’s cause, the India camp will be desperately be hoping that he recovers quickly. Source: HT