World Cup 2023: Virat Kohli and other Indian batters bowl in the nets as India prepare for Hardik Pandya's absence

India batters including Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and Surykumar Yadav were seen rolling their arms in the nets as Men in Blue started their preparation for the England game in World Cup 2023 on Saturday. Hardik Pandya’s unavailability due to an ankle injury he suffered during the Bangladesh match has forced the star batters to take up bowling.

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As per the images doing the rounds on social media, Kohli bowled his part-time seam deliveries in the nets at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. When Hardik got injured while bowling on 19 October at Pune, it was Kohli who had completed the over.

Virat Kohli bowling to Shubman Gill in the nets. pic.twitter.com/jBeLgAx9OV

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 26, 2023

Kohli bowled to captain Rohit Sharma and opener Gill in the nets, as per Hindustan Times. Gill and Surykumar also bowled off-spin during the training session. Gill bowled to Mohammed Siraj, while SKY was up against Rohit and Shreyas Iyer.

Indian batters practicing bowling in nets underlines the importance of Hardik to the squad. The all-rounder at No. 6 provides the perfect balance to the team with his explosive batting skills and seam bowling. In his absence, India opted to play just five bowlers against New Zealand at Dharamsala with Mohammed Shami coming in for Shardul Thakur and SKY replacing Hardik.

Virat Kohli while bowling in the nets, beats Rohit Sharma on every ball pic.twitter.com/D4qllak7P1

— Ayush. (@vkkings077) October 27, 2023

India are expected to pick the same playing XI against England in such a scenario one of the batters will have to bowl to make up for the lack of a sixth bowler.

Pandy suffered the ankle injury while trying to stop a straight drive with his foot. The cricketer slipped onto the ground and suffered the injury.

The BCCI had earlier said that he would join the team in Lucknow after his treatment but that has not happened. Now, Pandya is expected to be with the side before the Sri Lanka (2 November) or South Africa (5 November) game.