IND vs BAN: Hardik Pandya taken for scans after getting injured while bowling vs Bangladesh match in Pune

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IND vs BAN: The Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) in India confirmed that star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been taken for scans on his left ankle which he injured while bowling the ninth of India's match against Bangladesh in Pune on Friday, October 19.

The 30-year-old bowled three balls in his first over and apparently twisted his ankle in his follow-through. On the third delivery he tried stopping a drive from Litton Das with his right leg and slipped in the process.

The physio rushed out immediately to attend to Pandya and worked on his ankle for several minutes. Hardik, whose ankle was taped later, stood up in his attempt to complete his over but the pain forced him to limp off the field ultimately. Virat Kohli completed the over by bowling the remaining three deliveries.

The injury concern has left the Indian camp sweating. The 30-year-old is one of the most important cogwheels for India in the white-ball format. The balance he provides is irreplaceable.

The presence of Hardik Pandya has helped India increase their bowling and batting depth in the World Cup 2023 so far. Pandya has batted only in the tournament and scored 11 runs. With the ball, the pacer has picked five wickets at an average of 22.60 and an economy rate of 6.84.

India carefully managed Hardik Pandya's workload management in the lead up to the World Cup 2023. He did not feature in the 3-match bilateral series against Australia. Later, both of India's warm-up matches were washed out due to rain.

The team lacks a perfect like-for-like replacement for Hardik Pandya. Shardul Thakur is there but he does not carry the flamboyance of Hardik and cannot bat in the top six. Also, Hardik has looked a far better bowler than Shardul in the ICC mega event.