IND Vs SA: 'Hardik Pandya's Absence Will Not Affect India'- Shaun Pollock

Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the remainder of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 due to an ankle injury. He was supposed to be back by the knockout games but a resurfacing of a swelling on his left ankle washed away his hopes for a comeback in this World Cup. Hardik Pandya was gutted after being ruled out of the tournament in such fashion.

South African legend Shaun Pollock, described the intensity of this blow for India as Hardik Pandya is a big player, and with his ability to bat destructively at the end and the extra contributions he brings with his ability to bowl, he used to provide that balance for the team. Hardik Pandya could make contributions to the team in all three departments of the game and his absence can be a huge setback.

“I think it’s a massive blow, isn’t it? I know the value of an all-rounder so you do understand what a big player he was. You know, how destructive he can be in the back end, the extra contribution he brings with regards to how much he can bowl, Just the balance he brings to that Indian side. So it is a major blow for him and you feel sorry for him,” Shaun Pollock said about Hardik Pandya.

Shaun Pollock further talked about how much preparation everyone puts in to get ready and he thought that Hardik Pandya would be able to recover from his injury in time. He wished Hardik well and hoped for his speedy recovery in his statements.

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You know, everyone puts their massive preparation in getting ready we thought he might be able to bounce back from the injury, but unfortunately not the case. So we wish him well and hopefully, he will recover soon,” Pollock added.

Shaun Pollock further talked about how India has found a way to cope without the services of Hardik Pandya, “It doesn’t really affect the performance, I don’t think so. India seems to have found a way to cope without Hardik but still to have him missing is a massive blow for India,” he concluded.

Hardik Pandya’s absence might be a huge setback for India but the way they have performed against teams like New Zealand, England, and Sri Lanka, shows that this team is not dependent on any one individual. As a team and as a unit, the Men in Blue have performed phenomenally, especially Mohammed Shami who came into the playing XI against New Zealand. Shami has taken 14 wickets in just three games with an unbelievable average of 6.71.

India will hope to continue their unbeaten streak at the Eden Gardens when they face South Africa, the second-best team in this tournament as per the points table and performances. The winner of this game will establish themselves as the table toppers in the World Cup’s Round-Robin league.