World Cup 2023: In the exciting match of the World Cup 2023 going on in India, India was till now unbeaten at number one in the points table. But in yesterday’s match no. 32, South Africa ensured its place on the points table with a good win over New Zealand and pushed India down one place to the first position on the points table.
If India has to enter the semi-finals unbeaten in this historic tournament, then it will have to take the field against Sri Lanka with the best playing 11 with a good strategy.
Rohit Sharma has given an update on the fitness of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya ahead of his team’s match against Sri Lanka in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
Pandya suffered an ankle injury during India’s group match against Bangladesh last month and has since been sitting out as the tournament hosts continued their unbeaten start in the World Cup.
Rohit was quizzed about Pandya’s possible return to full fitness ahead of India’s match against Sri Lanka in Mumbai on Thursday and the experienced captain suggested that the all-rounder will remain on the outside for now.
Skipper Rohit Sharma said “Right now, he is not available for tomorrow’s match,”.
“It is an injury that we have to see every day how much percent he has improved, how much recovery has been made, how much bowling has been done, how much batting has been done. So, on a day-to-day basis, we would like to take a call.”
After the clash with Sri Lanka this season, India’s next match will be against points table toppers South Africa in Kolkata on Sunday and Rohit has remained mum on whether that could potentially be the game in which Pandya will return.
“The matches (at the World Cup) are taking place every three or four days and we are watching the situation daily,” the India captain said.
“It is possible, as he is progressing, it’s possible and hopefully we’ll get a chance to see him as soon as possible. That’s all I can say for now.”
Fast bowler Mohammed Shami has shone in Pandya’s absence, taking nine wickets in India’s last two matches, but Rohit will not be worried about whether the right-handed batsman will retain his place in the team upon the all-rounder’s return.
Rohit instead suggested that all combinations remain a possibility for his team as India look to win their third World Cup title and second on home soil.
“All sorts of combination is possible,” Rohit noted.
“In this World Cup, you’ve seen spinners actually are the ones who are stopping that run flow in the middle overs, so I am keeping my options open whether we have Hardik or not at this point in time to play three spinners or not.
“If the situation demands for us to play three spinners, we will play three spinners.
“We’ll see whatever is necessary to make the right combination, right play. We will do that.”
World Cup 2023: India Vs Sri Lanka Squads.
India: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul (wk), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Ishan Kishan
Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (c & wk), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Mathews, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka, Chamika Karunaratne, Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Kusal Perera
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