Hardik Pandya ruled out of ICC Cricket World Cup | What it means for Team India's campaign?

Team India and fans were hopeful that Hardik Pandya would recover from the ankle injury he picked during the game vs Bangladesh but their biggest fear came true on Saturday morning, when the star all-rounder was ruled out of the remainder of the Cricket World Cup.

The ICC confirmed that India named Prasidh Krishna as Hardik's replacement and he is available for selection in the playing XI.

But what does Hardik Pandya's absence mean for Team India going forward in the tournament?

The Baroda lad was on his way to recovery at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru and was making decent progress. Rohit Sharma and the team management were hoping to have his services somewhere near the semi-finals but it won't happen.

Hardik's injury however, came as a blessing in disguise for Team India as it paved they way for Mohammed Shami. The pacer took the World Cup by storm by picking up 14 wickets in his first 3 matches and cemented his place in the playing XI.

Even if Hardik returned, it wouldn't have been at the cost of an in-form Shami. His exclusion also helped Suryakumar Yadav to make his ODI World Cup debut but he wasn't very impressive. Had Hardik returned, it could have been in place of Surya, which would have given Rohit 6 bowling options up his sleeves.

Never the less, Team India has found a way to survive without the all-rounder and as things stand, Hardik not being there shouldn't affect the Men in Blue, who have decimated oppositions without him in this tournament.