3 reasons why India might miss Hardik Pandya more than ever vs England in the 2023 World Cup
Team India haven't missed a beat even without Hardik Pandya, who injured himself while bowling his first over in the 2023 World Cup match against Bangladesh. He subsequently missed the rest of that game, which the Men in Blue won convincingly, as well as their next triumph over New Zealand.
While reports initially suggested that he'd be fit and ready to face England on Sunday, October 29 in Lucknow, recent information claimed that he will be rested as a precautionary measure. India are understandably unwilling to take risks with the fitness of their star all-rounder.
Rohit Sharma and Co. haven't been made to feel the absence of Hardik so far, but they could find themselves hoping that they have his services to call upon whey they lock horns with England.
Here are three reasons why India will miss Hardik Pandya more than ever when they face England in the 2023 World Cup.
#3 The England clash is one of India's most important remaining matches in the 2023 World Cup
India have brushed aside the teams they've faced so far, having coasted to five wins on the trot. However, they can't afford to be complacent, and they will know that their match against England is one of their most important remaining games in the 2023 World Cup.
After England, the Men in Blue will face Sri Lanka, South Africa and the Netherlands. They should be able to get at least four points from those games, meaning that they could essentially secure qualification well ahead of their last couple of matches if they beat Jos Buttler's men in Lucknow.
Moreover, even though England haven't been anywhere close to their best and are placed ninth in the standings, they are a dangerous outfit on their day. The defending champions aren't going to go down without a fight.
India will need their best XI to come out on top - and their best XI definitely features Hardik, their vice-captain.
#2 Suryakumar Yadav doesn't inspire much confidence at Lucknow
This might be a harsh thing to say, since Suryakumar Yadav was unfortunately run out in his maiden World Cup game. But the truth of the matter is that on the whole, the dynamic batter hasn't been able to come to terms with the ODI format.
There were signs of an upturn in Suryakumar's ODI fortunes just ahead of the World Cup, prompting his inclusion in the squad ahead of names like Sanju Samson. But is he a reliable option at No. 6?
Suryakumar is incredibly destructive against both pace and spin in the shortest format. Unfortunately, though, he has looked all at sea against both disciplines in the 50-over game, and there isn't much evidence to suggest that he'll be able to succeed in Lucknow.
The Ekana Stadium has offered a fair amount of swing at all stages of the innings, and the spinners will always have a role to play at the venue. While Suryakumar will take heart from the fact that England don't have any left-arm spinners, they still do have a few men who could trouble him.
Hardik would've been a reliable option at No. 6, but India will now have to enter the clash with a slight question mark at the position in Suryakumar.
#1 India might not be able to play an extra spinner without Hardik Pandya
This is the most telling effect of Hardik Pandya's absence. Without the assurance of a fast-bowling all-rounder, India can afford to play only five specialist bowlers, and that means that they might not be able to field an additional spinner.
The Men in Blue picked Ravichandran Ashwin in Chennai against Australia and were initially expected to do the same in Lucknow. England have struggled against spin and also have a few left-handers the off-spinner could enjoy bowling to. However, playing Ashwin would mean going in with just two pacers in Hardik's absence.
Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah are world-class bowlers who aren't dependent on the surface to do well, so India might be able to manage without a third spinner. But they would've definitely been better off with Hardik in the mix, considering the venue.