World Cup 2023: Why Hardik Pandya's absence is a bigger loss than you think?

India’s nightmare has come true and all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the remainder of the Cricket World Cup 2023. Pandya’s ankle injury that he suffered in the game against Bangladesh, after he slipped to the ground while trying to stop a straight drive off his bowling, proved to be too costly in the end.

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It has not only ended Pandya’s hopes of winning a World Cup at home, but the injury has come as a big blow for India.

The Men in Blue are on a seven-game winning streak from seven World Cup matches. Pandya featured in the first four games and Mohammed Shami who came into the side after the injury to the Baroda player has taken 14 wickets in three matches including two five-wicket hauls.

If you are wondering what is the big deal if Pandya stays out of the playing, it’s understandable. With Shami breathing fire, India have had one-sided wins in the last three matches including a 302-run demolition of Sri Lanka and a 100-run win over defending champions England.

But what these wins don’t tell you is that India in Pandya’s absence are playing a very high-risk game and when things don’t go Men in Blue’s way, the team can fall like a pack of cards.

Here’s how and why

Pandya is no Shami but a good enough bowler to give you 6-7 overs. In four World Cup matches he took five wickets at an average of 22.60 despite him bowling only 0.3 overs in his fourth match. He batted only once for 11 runs but has scored 1769 runs in 86 matches at an average of 34.01.

Now Shami has covered up for his bowling with some inspired performances but what we are forgetting is that India had to make two changes to replace Pandya. It wasn’t just Shami who came in but Suryakumar Yadav was also included while Shardul Thaur went out.

Without Pandya, it was too much of a risk to play Thakur.

Now India are in a scenario where they only have five bowlers. If things go wrong then captain Rohit Sharma will have no one to run to. In fact, he will have to rely on Kohli and himself to be the sixth bowling option.

Tough to digest the fact that I will miss out on the remaining part of the World Cup. I’ll be with the team, in spirit, cheering them on every ball of every game. Thanks for all the wishes, the love, and the support has been incredible. This team is special and I’m sure we’ll… pic.twitter.com/b05BKW0FgL

— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) November 4, 2023

In modern cricket where 300+ scores are the new norm, it’s quite possible such a scenario can come up any day. If it happens in the semi-finals and final, India could be in big trouble.

Besides bowling, Pandya also offered a reliable hand lower in the order. India need a calm head like Pandya who can strike big while chasing big totals. Pandya’s ODI career strike rate is 110.35 and with India and in IPL he has proved multiple times that he is a bonafide finisher.

Also, Suryakumar is a good player but still an unproven quantity in ODI cricket.

We must not forget also that currently India’s batting is limited to No. 7 with tailenders from No .8. In a big chase, the lack of one batter can be the turning point.

India have named pacer Prasidh Krishna as a replacement for Pandya who is not a like-for-like replacement.

While Shami’s form may not have allowed Team India management to drop the pacer for Thakur in the semi-finals, the inclusion of Pandya would have given them the sixth bowling option and a certified finisher, strengthening the side for the knockouts.