'Hardik Pandya Not Available, Hopefully Surya..': KL Rahul Confirms India Likely to Name Unchanged Side vs England

Indian wicketkeeper batter KL Rahul has hinted that the Men in Blue are likely to go with an unchanged team for their upcoming ODI World Cup clash against England, with Hardik Pandya still sidelined through injury. Hardik had injured himself during the clash against Bangladesh in Pune, the ankle injury forced the all-rounder off the field and he was subsequently forced to sit out the high-octane clash against New Zealand in Dharamsala.

Rohit Sharma-led Indian team will next face the defending champions England, the Hitman is likely to persist with the duo of Suryakumar Yadav and Mohammed Shami for the clash in Lucknow.

Speaking to the media on Saturday, KL Rahul hoped that Suryakumar would make the best of the chances awarded to him, the number 1 ranked T20I batter made his ODI World Cup debut against New Zealand but was run out on 2 after a mix-up with Virat Kohli.

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Shami meanwhile replaced Shardul Thakur and picked up a fifer, therefore, after the veteran pacer’s sensational display, he is likely to keep his place in the side.

“Hardik Pandya is not available for this game… hopefully Surya will do well in the chance he gets,” said Rahul.

The 31-year-old also hoped to make a few ‘happy memories’ at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow wherein he injured himself while playing for Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2023. Rahul picked up a thigh injury that saw him miss a few months of action and he made his return during the Asia Cup 2023.

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“Last memory of this ground is falling down and injuring myself… hope I can make happy memories,” stated the wicketkeeper batter.

While India are unbeaten in the World Cup so far, England have lost three matches back to back. Jos Buttler and Co. mathematically still have a chance of reaching the World Cup semifinals, although their fate is not in their own hands and they will have to rely on other sides’ results to make it into the knockouts.