KOLKATA: Hardik Pandya on Saturday became the latest player to be ruled out of the World Cup with injury. Having damaged his ankle during the match against Bangladesh, the India allrounder was expected to be available for at least the knockout stages. However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Saturday that pacer Prasidh Krishna will replace Pandya for the remaining part of the tournament.
The injury-prone Pandya, a crucial cog in India's wheel given his abilities with bat and ball, is said to have suffered a ligament injury and is currently in rehabilitation.
Prasidh in place of Hardik Pandya may not be a 'like-for-like' replacement, but India have their reasons, as coach Rahul Dravid explained. "Hardik hasn't played in the last two or three games and we have been using a three-pacer two-spinner combination. We have backups for pacers, spinners and bowling all-rounders, but one area we haven't backed up was an injury to Hardik," he said here on Saturday, ahead of the team's practice.
Although Pandya is an important part of the team, what Dravid meant was there is enough talent already in the 15 to make up for his absence.
Pandya's absence also means that the Indian batting ends a notch higher. But then, Dravid said India have had to bat deep only once against England, on a tricky wicket in Lucknow. "There too, our No. 8 and No. 9 did fairly well. We have to show confidence in our number 8, 9 and 10," Dravid said.
'Dew not a factor'
The dew, which can change the complexion of a game, has been quite inconsistent during the tournament. In fact, here in the two game at the Eden Gardens, dew made its presence felt in one game and was missing in the other.
Dravid did not want to attach too much importance to the dew factor. "Honestly, I have given up on the dew," he said. "I can't read it, neither can the groundsmen. They tell me something, but something else happens. We will play our game and I am not worried about the dew. It is not that much of a factor."
Neither are the overcast conditions that Kolkata witnessed on Saturday. The same has been forecast for Sunday. "We cannot change that and so, will not worry about that. We play the team we want and not based on the conditions," Dravid said.
'Virat quite relaxed'
Virat Kohli will turn 35 on Sunday, but that does not seem to be playing on his mind, Dravid added. "He is quite relaxed and I don't think it is bothering him that he is turning a year older, or standing on the cusp of his 49th century. He is always very professional and hard working. I don't think these things will affect him."
