India’s sixth bowling option is severely harmed by Hardik Pandya’s World Cup exclusion: Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra, a former cricketer for India, has described Hardik Pandya’s disqualification from the ICC World Cup 2023 as a major blow to the Indian squad. India’s essential all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, will not participate in the competition any more. Prasidh Krishna, a pacer, has been named as his substitute, the Indian Cricket Council (ICC) said early on Saturday, November 4. India’s World Cup campaign has taken a serious hit as a result of this development.

After the Indian all-rounder slipped during his bowling spell against Bangladesh in Pune, he was ordered to the National Cricket Academy for rehabilitation. India made two changes for their matches against New Zealand and England in Sri Lanka as a result of the noticeable absence of Hardik Pandya. Chopra took to Twitter to express his feelings following Pandya’s regrettable withdrawal from the event, writing,

Hardik Pandya was disqualified from the World Cup.

Significant setback for the hopes of a sixth bowling option. India’s chosen pacer, Prasidh Krishna, will take his place. speaks volumes about the quantity of players with Hardik’s skill set that exist in India. Chopra wrote on “X” that the answer is 0.

Here’s Aakash Chopra’s latest post on ‘X’:

Hardik Pandya ruled out of the World Cup. Big blow to the possibilities of having a sixth bowling option.
India’s picked pacer Prasidh Krishna to replace him. Says a lot about how many players of Hardik’s skill-set are available in India. Answer is #CWC23

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 4, 2023

Mohammed Shami took full use of the chance.

India strategically changed their team in reaction to Hardik Pandya’s absence. In order to improve bowling, Mohammed Shami was called in, and Suryakumar Yadav proved to be a valuable addition to the starting lineup. To improve the team’s overall composition and equilibrium, Shardul Thakur, India’s other fast-bowling all-round player, was rested.

Mohammed Shami was given a fantastic opportunity by Pandya’s injury, which he has taken use of with great skill. With his astounding 14 wickets in just three games, Shami has established himself as a vital member of the squad. With two group-stage matches left, India can now afford to experiment with their reserve players because they have already guaranteed their place in the tournament’s semi-finals.