IND vs ENG: Sourav Ganguly Opens Up On Hardik Pandya's Injury, Says 'India Has Lots Of Backup'

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly downplayed concerns about star all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s absence in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023. Sourav Ganguly expressed his confidence in India’s strength and depth of the team even in the absence of crucial players.

Hardik Pandya sustained a left ankle injury during the match against Bangladesh. As a result, the all-rounder was unable to participate in the matches against New Zealand and England. His return to the field is uncertain, and he may miss several more matches of the World Cup.

Real Challenge Lies In The Knockout Stage – Sourav Ganguly

Speaking from the sidelines of the Bangladesh-Netherlands match at Eden Gardens, Sourav Ganguly said that England has not lived up to expectations in the World Cup. He pointed out that he initially picked England as the favorites before the tournament started.

“India is a fantastic team and has lots of backup. I had initially chosen England for the semi-finals, but their performance has been below expectations. The championship is still a long way off,” Ganguly said.

“The league stage is relatively easier, but the real challenge lies in the knockout stage. Australia and South Africa are both strong teams that could potentially pose a challenge to India,” he further added.

The Rohit Sharma-led team got off to a flying start in the World Cup, registering five consecutive victories. They registered victories against Australia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand. Hardik’s absence might impact the depth of India’s batting lineup.

Fantastic Venue With An Incredible Atmosphere – Sourav Ganguly

Ganguly expressed excitement about the larger crowds for upcoming matches at Eden Gardens, including India vs South Africa and Pakistan vs Bangladesh.

“Eden Gardens always draws in large crowds. It’s a fantastic venue with an incredible atmosphere. I expect the India vs South Africa match to attract even more spectators. It’s wonderful to see so many fans from Bangladesh here. I anticipate an even larger turnout for the Pakistan vs Bangladesh match.”

The Men in Blue will play their league match in Kolkata against South Africa in their penultimate group match on Sunday, November 5.

Also read: IND Vs ENG: Rohit Sharma Set To Join The Elite List Of MS Dhoni And Sourav Ganguly After England’s Match