Top Focus/ India in big trouble, Hardik Pandya's probable replacement for NZ game suffers injury in nets

IND vs NZ: Having clinched four consecutive victories, India is determined to prolong their winning streak as they face an undefeated New Zealand team on Sunday in Dharamsala. Nevertheless, a series of injury issues has heightened India's worries leading up to this high-intensity ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 clash. With Hardik Pandya already ruled out due to an ankle injury, the Indian team is expected to substitute the prominent all-rounder with the dynamic finisher Suryakumar Yadav. However, it has now emerged that Suryakumar Yadav has sustained an injury ahead of India's match. 

3 things you need to know

• India and New Zealand are all set to lock horns against each other on Sunday
• Both teams are thus far undefeated in the ODI World Cup 2023
• The last time India and New Zealand played in the Cricket World Cup, the Kiwis won

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Suryakumar Yadav suffers injury ahead of India-New Zealand clash

Unfortunately, an unexpected setback occurred as Suryakumar Yadav suffered a blow to his right wrist on the eve of the match. The incident occurred during Team India's practice session on Saturday. Suryakumar was seen being escorted off the ground by the Indian cricket team's physio. Suryakumar was expected to replace Hardik Pandya in the playing XI for the New Zealand match. Hardik sustained an ankle injury in India's previous match against Bangladesh.

At the time of compiling this report, no official announcement has been made regarding Suryakumar Yadav's availability for the crucial encounter against New Zealand. In the event that he is unable to participate due to the wrist injury, India might consider including wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan to bolster the middle-order batting.

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India vs New Zealand: The fight for supremacy and dominance at the World Cup

New Zealand are currently at the top of the Cricket World Cup 2023 points table, while India are placed in the second position. Both teams have played four matches each but the Kiwis are ahead due to their superior net run rate. Whoever wins the match on Sunday, will consolidate its position at the top of the table.