The 2023 One Day International (ODI) World Cup has been nothing short of a thrilling cricket spectacle. As India continued its winning streak by thrashing Bangladesh, the focus shifted to all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who sustained an injury during the encounter at the MCA Stadium in Pune. This article will delve into the details of the match, Kohli’s surprise bowling spell, and the circumstances surrounding Hardik Pandya’s injury.
The thrilling encounter between India and Bangladesh took an unexpected turn when Hardik Pandya injured himself while bowling. While delivering the third ball of the ninth over, Pandya attempted to halt a powerful straight drive from Litton Das. Unfortunately, his right foot bore the brunt of the impact, leading to a twisted ankle.
To complete Hardik Pandya’s over in the powerplay, India skipper Rohit Sharma turned to Virat Kohli. This moment was significant as Kohli had not bowled for India in over six years in ODIs, with his last spell dating back to 2017 when he bowled two overs against Sri Lanka.
Kohli, besides his brief bowling cameo, also played a brilliant knock, securing his 48th century. His exceptional performance helped Team India secure another comfortable victory, despite the absence of regular skipper Shakib Al Hasan from the Bangladesh squad.
After the game, Rohit Sharma offered insights into Hardik Pandya’s injury in the post-match presentation ceremony. He reassured fans, stating that Hardik’s injury wasn’t a major concern. The team planned to assess his condition the following day to determine the best way forward.
“He (Hardik) pulled up a bit sore, nothing really major to worry. We’ll see how he pulls up tomorrow morning and then plan on how to go forward. Everyone in the squad has gone through pressure, the crowd is coming in big numbers, the stands are full, they haven’t disappointed us, they’ve been brilliant and I’m sure they’ll be louder and louder as we move on,” Rohit said.
‘If You Want To Win The World Cup, Then You Have To Beat…’, Gautam Gambhir Comes With An Interesting Analysis
Pandya’s injury occurred after Litton Das hit consecutive boundaries off him. Despite receiving on-field treatment and strapping his right ankle, Pandya was unable to continue. He briefly discussed his situation with Rohit Sharma before being replaced by Suryakumar Yadav. Subsequently, Pandya underwent scans to ascertain the extent of his injury.
