India’s unbeaten start to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup has received a massive hit with news that star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has failed to recover from his ankle injury and will miss the remainder of the tournament.

Pandya hurt his left ankle while bowling during India’s World Cup match against Bangladesh in Pune last month and it has now been confirmed that the 30-year-old has failed to recover in time to part of the rest of the campaign.

His place in India’s squad will be taken by Prasidh Krishna, with the inexperienced fast bowler parachuted into the playing group after being approved by the tournament’s Event Technical Committee on Saturday.

Krishna has just 19 white-ball appearances to his name for India and was last seen at international level when he picked up the prized wicket of David Warner in taking 1/45 from nine overs against Australia just prior to the World Cup.

While Krishna has shown signs of promise in the past with 33 international wickets, the right-armer is going to be competing with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj for a place in India’s pace attack.

Pandya took to social media later on Saturday to pass on his best wishes to his teammates as they attempt to claim a third World Cup title and second on home soil.

With the Event Technical Committee approving India’s replacement player on Saturday, it means Krishna is available for selection for Sunday’s crucial World Cup clash against fellow tournament pacesetter South Africa.

India and South Africa currently occupy the top two places on the World Cup standings and the winner of Sunday’s match in Kolkata will be in the box seat to finish the group stage of the tournament in first spot.

--ICC--