Allrounder Hardik Pandya will miss India’s table-topping match against New Zealand at the Cricket World Cup on Sunday, India's cricket board said Friday in a statement.
Pandya injured his left ankle while bowling in the ninth over against Bangladesh in Pune on Thursday. India won the game by seven wickets.
He bowled only three deliveries in the game before stumbling to field a straight drive from Bangladesh opener Litton Das. He was taken for scans at a local medical facility in Pune. Later, his scans were sent to specialists in Mumbai.
Pandya has been advised to rest and will fly to Bengaluru to be at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) where he will be under the supervision of the Indian cricket medical team.
He will miss India’s high-profile clash against the Black Caps in Dharamsala on Sunday.
New Zealand leads the standings with four straight wins. India also has four wins, trailing only on net run-rate. They are the only two unbeaten sides in the tournament.
“He pulled up a bit sore and there is nothing major to worry (about a potential injury). With this, we have to be careful about how we proceed,” said Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, after the win against Bangladesh.
Missing the game on Sunday allows Pandya at least 10 days’ rest before India’s next game. The hosts will play defending champions England in Lucknow on Oct. 29, where Pandya expects to make his comeback.
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