Former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra said that the injury to Hardik Pandya has massively affected the balance of the Indian cricket team in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

Notably, Team India has won all four matches in the ongoing Cricket World Cup 2023, but at the same time, Hardik’s injury became a cause for concern for the team management.

Hardik has been ruled out of India’s next CWC 2023 match against New Zealand in Dharamshala on October 22 due to an ankle injury, and Chopra said that it has totally changed the DNA of the team.

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Aakash Chopra said on JioCinema’s daily sports show ‘#AAKASHVANI’: “You may take this with a fist of salt if you like, but the truth is if any of your batters, be it Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli or KL Rahul, or any of your bowlers be it Mohammed Shami, (Mohammed) Siraj or (Jasprit) Bumrah has to sit out of a few matches for whatever reason, the balance of your team will not be affected.”

He continued, “The DNA of the team won’t change. But, currently there’s one player in the team whose exit from the playing XI changes everything and that’s Hardik Pandya. Because, Hardik bats in your top six. He’s your only batsman who bowls and bowls well. So, his injury has caused a lot of problems for India.”

The cricket pundit said that with Hardik out, it is possible for Suryakumar Yadav and Mohammad Shami to return to the playing eleven against New Zealand, but it would not also strike that balance.

Chopra signed off by saying, “One option that they have is to play Suryakumar Yadav at No. 6. The other change that I see is Mohammed Shami may be brought into the side, so you see the balance will be affected.”