Hardik Pandya ruled out of NZ match in Dharamsala

Indian vice-captain Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of India's next encounter against New Zealand in Dharamsala after he sustained an injury to his left ankle while fielding on his own bowling during India’s ICC Cricket World Cup match against Bangladesh at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune. 

The incident happened in the ninth over of the Bangladesh innings in Pune when the all-rounder tried to stop the ball in the follow-through with his leg. Immediately, the Indian medical staff walked out to tend to Pandya, who tried to complete his over. However, the pain was such that the all-rounder had to walk off the field, with Virat Kohli completing the over. 

The all-rounder was taken for scans and is advised rest. He will be under the constant supervision of the BCCI Medical Team. According to the media release shared by BCCI, Pandya will not be taking the flight to Dharamsala with the team on 20th October and will now join the team directly in Lucknow, where India play England.

So far, India have won all four encounters in this World Cup but have two difficult encounters coming up against New Zealand in Dharamsala and England in Lucknow. In the absence of Pandya, India may look at including one of Mohammed Shami or Ravichandran Ashwin, depending on conditions.