Team India all-rounder and vice-captain, Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the Cricket World Cup after failing to recover from his ankle injury, the ICC has confirmed on Saturday.

The medium pacer had limped off after putting his right foot to stop a drive from Bangladesh’s Liton Das in Pune. He lost his balance while trying to stop what was a four off his own bowling and then lost his balance and dragged his right boot while landing on the pitch. He got up and looked in discomfort while bending over. 

Then Pandya was rushed to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for his rehabilitation.

The tournament’s Event Technical Committee has approved medium pacer Prasidh Krishna as Pandya’s replacement. The 27-year-old, Krishna, who has made a comeback after a long injury layoff has played 17 ODIs for India and has bagged 29 wickets. 

A vital cog in the wheel, Pandya’s skill set at the highest level – effective with difficult to pick up bouncers, the surprise heavy ball and ability to clear the ropes – makes him viral to the playing XI’s balance. Hardik had picked up five wickets from four matches in India’s campaign and had batted only once against Australia in Chennai.