Who will replace Hardik Pandya in the in-form India squad in the Cricket World Cup?

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The in-form team India have been hit with a major blow as pace bowler Hardik Pandya injured himself and walked off the field with an injury during the India-Bangladesh clash in the ICC Cricket World Cup.

The all-rounder bowled three balls in his first over and went off the field after hurting his right ankle in trying to stop a ball with his feet. This could be a massive setback for India, as Hardik Pandya is an important player in this lineup.

The BCCI Medical Team took Hardik Pandya for scans, which revealed the extent of the left ankle injury, prompting the doctors to advise him to rest.

It led to the team management deciding to give their vice-captain a break while revealing that he won’t be traveling to Dharamsala with the team for the match against New Zealand in the ODI World Cup 2023, instead, he will join the team directly in Lucknow, where India will play England next Sunday, October 29.

Following BCCI’s confirmation on Pandya, the question arises who would replace him in the XI for the marquee clash?

Will it be emerging star Ishan Kishan or T20I stalwart Suryakumar Yadav, or will India opt for a different strategy and play four frontline bowlers, including Mohammed Shami?

So who will replace him when India takes on New Zealand on October 22?

1) Mohammed Shami:

Mohammed Shami can be one of the possible replacements for Hardik Pandya in India's playing XI. The right-arm fast bowler, one of the most experienced in the side, is yet to feature in this edition of the tournament and his inclusion could add that extra spice to India's fast bowling attack.

2) Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin, the bowling all-rounder, has already played a key part for India in their comprehensive seven-wicket win in the ODI World Cup 2023 opener against Australia. At the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, the 37-year-old was drafted into the playing XI, to take advantage of the spinning conditions, which he did in an exemplary manner, picking up the key wicket of Cameron Green in the third powerplay stage.

With figures of 1-34 in his 10 overs, including a maiden, Ravichandran Ashwin came good on the promise shown by the captain Rohit Sharma and the team management, which could lead him to replace Hardik Pandya in the playing XI against New Zealand.

3) Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav found his mojo in ODI cricket in the build-up to the flagship tournament, with a couple of fifties against Australia, to help the Indian cricket team secure a 2-1 series win. The 33-year-old is yet to play a match in the ODI World Cup 2023 from the 15-member squad, just like Mohammed Shami, but the injury to Hardik Pandya has opened up a spot in the playing XI.

India has been playing the likes of Shardul Thakur and Ravichandran Ashwin to bolster their lower-middle-order in the ODI World Cup 2023, which suggests that Suryakumar Yadav might be the favorite to take the spot of Hardik Pandya in the playing XI against New Zealand to boost the batting lineup, irrespective of just five recognised bowlers in the team.