Last Update on: November 14th, 2023 at 03:44 pm
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson talked about the injury to Hardik Pandya in the ICC World Cup 2023. He admitted that it disrupted the balance of the Indian team but the Rohit Sharma-led have adjusted well even after facing a big blow.
Hardik Pandya suffered an ankle injury midway through the tournament and was ruled out of the competition. The all-rounder was deemed unfit to take part in the event further and it’s fair to say that it disrupted the balance of the team as they lacked 6th bowler.
However, India adjusted to that pretty well as they played magnificently well and didn’t need 6th bowler at all. Suryakumar with bat and Mohammed Shami with ball chipped in and helped the team be dominant in the tournament.
India won 9 out of their 9 games in the ICC World Cup 2023 and were undefeated in the league stage. But the bigger challenge awaits them as they will be facing Kane Williamson’s New Zealand in the semi-final of the tournament on 15th November at Wankhede.
Kane Williamson is aware of the balance India have without Hardik Pandya. But he also admitted that India have adjusted nicely even without the all-rounder. Speaking to reporters, he explained:
“Every team has a slightly different balance. The injury to Hardik changed the balance a bit but certainly didn’t change the outcomes. They have nicely adjusted.”
Kane Williamson also talked about the challenge his side will be facing against India. He admitted that Men in Blue are the best team in the tournament and it’ll be tough to face them. He explained:
“India is a great challenge, they are one of the best teams, if not the best currently”.
IND vs NZ: He knows the venue well – Kane Williamson on Suryakumar Yadav
Kane Williamson also talked about Suryakumar Yadav, who will be playing the game at his home ground and has done some great things at the venue. He admitted that the batter knows the venue well but they want to focus on their cricket. He added:
“Great player, great stroke maker. He knows the venue well. But we want to focus on our cricket.”
Kane Williamson was further asked about playing extra seamer in Kyle Jamieson for the clash against India. Replying to this, he said that they would be assessing the conditions before naming the XI. He stated:
“We’ll have to look at the surface and assess from here.”
Kyle Jamieson was added to the New Zealand squad after Matt Henry was ruled out of the tournament. India notably defeated New Zealand in the league stage of the tournament at the Dharamsala.
