Hardik Pandya out of World Cup after ankle swelling resurfaces, Prasidh Krishna gets call-up

Star India all-rounder Hardik Pandya was on Saturday ruled out of ongoing World Cup after failing to recover from his ankle injury.

Pacer Prasidh Krishna, who played 17 ODIs, has been named Pandya's replacement in Indian squad, ICC said in a media release.

Pandya had hurt his left ankle while fielding off his own bowling in game against Bangladesh in Pune on October 19.

"Tough to digest fact that I will miss out on remaining part of World Cup. I'll be with team, in spirit, cheering m on every ball of every game. Thanks for all wishes, love, and support has been incredible. This team is special and I'm sure we'll make everyone proud," Pandya said on 'X', formerly twitter.

According to BCCI sources privy to developments at NCA, Pandya had resumed his training in Bengaluru but swelling on his left ankle has resurfaced and hence re is chance that he could even play at business end of tournament.

"As it has been said earlier, Pandya doesn't have any fracture and only had mir tear. He had resumed training but suddenly considerable amount of swelling developed in left ankle region and he wouldn't have been fit to bowl.

"This is t some injury which could be mand with injections. Considerable swelling resurfaced on Thursday and unless it subsides, he can't do skills training for some more time," official told PTI on condition of anymity.

BCCI had three players named as standbys for tournament -- left-handed batter Tilak Varma, wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson and pacer Prasidh -- and y could only name one of three.

It is understood rationale behind Prasidh's selection is that team would miss Hardik's bowling more than his batting and hence only player who could fit bill was Karnataka pacer.

In fact, before his lower-back stress fracture and subsequent surgery, Prasidh was among Rahul Dravid's top choices to play ODI cricket and rest, as y say, is history.

"In our reserves, in guys sitting outside in 15, we had a backup for spin (Ashwin). We had a back-up for batting, and we had a back-up in bowling all-around category.

"So, we did recognise that if this is a combination we're going to take, and if re is an issue of an illness, or a small niggle, or an injury, n we need to have a backup for that. It also allows us to play or combinations.

With Shardul Thakur and Ravichandran Ashwin already in back-up, Indian team manment wasn't too keen on an all-rounder as both are considered to be decent eugh batters.

In terms of batting, team is well covered with Ishan Kishan, a left-hander-cum-keeper already in reserves, hence neir Sanju r Tilak would have been considered for role.

Right w, team is set and even Prasidh, unless some massive injury happens, is unlikely to get a game.

All three pacers -- Mohammed Shami, Mohamamed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah -- pick mselves up and hence re is little chance of Prasidh getting a look-in.

only situation where some pacers can rest is Nerlands game where a Shardul, Ashwin or Prasidh could get a look-in in case first-choice fast bowlers are given a break before semifinal, likely to be played in Mumbai.

situation is also a godsend for Suryakumar Yadav, who at . 6, will get to play all of India's remaining games unless an injury happens.

replacement of a player requires approval of Event Technical Committee before player can be officially added to squad.

Event Technical Committee of ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 consists of Wasim Khan (ICC General Manr – Cricket and ETC Chair), Chris Tetley (ICC Head of Events), Hemang Amin (Acting CEO - BCCI), Gaurav Saxena (General Manr – Operations, BCCI), Russel Arld and Simon Doull (Independent Representatives).