In India’s fourth match at the 2023 World Cup, against Bangladesh at Gahunje (near Pune), Hardik Pandya twisted his ankle while trying to stop a Litton Das shot off his own bowling.

He left the ground in pain, unable to complete his first over, which Virat Kohli duly finished. He went for subsequent scans, and did not return when India fielded.

If he is indeed ruled out – of one match if not for more (or worse, horror, for the rest of the World Cup) – India will face a difficult problem, for Pandya is their only cricketer who bowls pace and can bat inside the top six.

Who can replace Pandya? Unfortunately, the options are few, largely because none of the India top five bowls.

Suryakumar Yadav or Ishan Kishan

At No.6, ‘SKY’ may come in as a batter at least as good as Pandya, if not more devastating. Kishan, too, demonstrated his mettle down the order (albeit at No.5) with a fine 82 against Pakistan at the Asia Cup. Since he is a left-hander, India can use him as a floater as well to win relevant match-ups.

This will perhaps – or not – enable India to bring in Mohammed Shami for Shardul Thakur. Even if they do not make that change, Pandya’s hitting prowess down the order will not be compromised if one of Surya and Kishan plays.

However, there is a problem. Neither Surya nor Kishan bowls, which will reduce India to exactly five bowlers and no more. If one of their five bowlers breaks down during a match – much like Pandya today – they will be left with ten overs of nothingness.

R Ashwin

India can combat the above threat by picking Ashwin. This will enable to them to use Ravindra Jadeja at six, followed by Shardul Thakur and R Ashwin. Despite his five Test hundreds, Ashwin’s hitting prowess is not close to Pandya’s, but he is undoubtedly the superior bowler.

Jadeja, Thakur, and Ashwin, followed by three bowlers, makes it too long a tail, but India are yet to require their No.7. Across the first three matches, Pandya himself had to bat at this World Cup only once, against Australia: and on that occasion he came out when India needed 33 in 74 balls.

What if Pandya’s injury is serious?

Pandya will be impossible to replace – fast-bowling all-rounders are rare anywhere in the world – but someone will have to if he is ruled out of the World Cup.

India may pick Washington Sundar who, despite being a spinner, fits the bill as an all-rounder. It is worth remembering that when India had announced the World Cup squad, on September 28, Axar Patel was three weeks away from recovering from his quadriceps strain. There is little doubt that the BCCI are monitoring the updates.

Alternately, Tilak Varma may jump the queue despite his lack of experience – for his off-breaks will restore some balance to the side.