3 Players Who Can Replace Injured Hardik Pandya In the Playing XI for the Rest Of Asia Cup 

The flamboyant all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been deemed unfit to participate further in the Cup after suffering an injury while playing against Pakistan in India's second game of the ongoing Asia Cup. Along with Hardik Pandya the bowlers, Shardul Thakur and Axar Patel also miss out the tournament due to unfortunate injuries. The trio has been replaced by Ravindra Jadeja, Siddharth Kaul, and Deepak Chahar.

Of the three, Ravindra Jadeja is the lone all-around option available for the team. Due to the absence of Hardik Pandya, India will likely be forced to get out of their favored 4 frontline bowlers along with a pace bowling all-rounder team composition. The team management will look to find the ideal balance in the XI for the remaining games as they would want to continue their winning run.

Rohit Sharma has to look into the available options and decide who suits best for the conditions in UAE. Kedar Jadhav in the absence of Hardik Pandya during the last game fulfilled the fifth bowler's role to perfection as he bowled 9 economical overs and picked up 3 crucial wickets including that of Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed. But he may not be successful every time and can not be relied upon for bowling 10 overs regularly, so the Indian team think-tank should look at potential all-round options available to replace Hardik Pandya in the XI for the rest of Asia Cup.

Here are 3 players who might be slotted at number 7 in the upcoming matches.

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Notable Mention - Khaleel Ahmed might also be considered for the spot given his good performance in the first match but it would weaken the batting when the team plays against quality sides.

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#3 Deepak Chahar

Deepak Chahar made his debut for India during the T20 series in England earlier this year

Deepak Chahar rose to prominence after a fruitful season for the Chennai Super Kings during their victorious campaign in this year's IPL. He performed consistently throughout the season and picked up wickets regularly at the start of the innings for his IPL franchise. He has also played some useful cameos at the back end of the innings.

He first came into the limelight when he destroyed the Hyderabad batting lineup on his first-class debut in a Ranji game where he announced his arrival by taking 8 wickets. Since then he has been consistent in the domestic circuit and after a successful stint in the IPL this year he earned himself a berth in the Indian team for the T20 series in England where he replaced injured Jasprit Bumrah.

He is a skillful swing bowler and has the ability to hit some big hits. So If India thinks they need a pace bowling option for replacing Hardik Pandya, Deepak Chahar might fit the bill.

#2 Manish Pandey

Pandey acknowledging the applause after scoring his maiden International Century at Sydney Cricket Ground

This is the most improbable option but the Indian team management might be tempted to slot in a batsman as Kedar Jadhav has been in a great bowling form in recent times. Manish Pandey has been in tremendous form in the recently concluded India A series where he was one of the highest scorers and remained unbeaten in all of the matches.

He deserves to be given a chance in the playing XI but with the likes of Rayudu and Dinesh Karthik already present in the middle order, he has been waiting patiently for his chances so far in this tournament. So if India decides to go in with an extra batsman then Manish Pandey will in most likeliness make it to the playing XI.

# 1 Ravindra Jadeja

Can he once again cement his place in the ODI side?

Jadeja is the best possible option available right now to replace the injured all-rounder Hardik Pandya at number 7. He has experience on his side and has improved his skills over the years. He has experience of playing as the all-rounder for India in the past as he was the premier all-rounder for team India before the arrival of Hardik Pandya.

He is a highly accurate left-arm orthodox bowler and can hit some lusty blows at the back end of the innings while batting. So with the UAE pitches being slow and assisting spinners, he seems to be the ideal replacement for the injured Pandya. He was also in good form during the last Test of the recently concluded Test series in England.