Hardik Pandya likely to miss England clash at 2023 World Cup: Reports

Team India all-rounder Hardik Pandya is unlikely to feature in the side's blockbuster clash against England in Lucknow on Sunday, October 29, as reported by News18.

Hardik suffered a left ankle injury in his first over of the Bangladesh game, when he tried to stop a ball in his follow-through. The 30-year-old took no further part in the game and immediately went off the field, with Virat Kohli completing the remainder of his over.

Hardik was later taken to the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore to meet a specialist doctor from London, amid fears of a long-term injury. Fortunately for the Men in Blue and Indian fans, a source confirmed that the injury wasn't serious, with the pace-bowling all-rounder possibly being available for the England clash.

However, the latest reports suggest that the management is not keen on rushing Pandya back, especially with the team in a comfortable position in the 2023 World Cup. A BCCI official told News18:

"Yes, Hardik is likely to miss the next match vs England in Lucknow. It is more of a precaution at this stage and nothing serious."

Despite having an opportunity with the bat only in the opening game against Australia, Hardik has been vital with the ball for India. He has picked up five wickets in the three full games at an average of 22.60, lending tremendous balance to the side.

Rohit Sharma's men were untroubled without Hardik and continued their dominant run, defeating Bangladesh in the game he suffered the injury as well as New Zealand in the following match.

---

India remain the only undefeated side in the 2023 World Cup

India have been in red-hot form throughout the tournament.

Despite the topsy-turvy nature of the 2023 World Cup, which has featured several upsets so far, Team India have remained unfazed and have won all five games to be perched atop the points table.

While they had a slight hiccup in their run-chase against Australia at 2/3, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul eventually ensured a comfortable six-wicket win. The Men in Blue followed that with comprehensive victories against a trio of Asian sides - Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

Their best win yet came in their outing against New Zealand, in what was a battle of the then-undefeated teams. Chasing a stiff 274 for victory, Team India recorded a four-wicket win on the back of a sensational 95 by Virat Kohli.

The blistering form of their star players - Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah - has helped the side a great deal. While Kohli and Rohit are the second and third-highest run-scorers in the tournament with 354 and 311 runs respectively, Bumrah is the second-highest wicket-taker with 11 scalps, behind only Michell Santner.