IND vs HK: Why is Hardik Pandya Not Playing Today?

Hardik Pandya IND vs HK: In a massive breaking news development, India’s premier all-rounder Hardik Pandya is not playing the Asia Cup 2022 game against Hong Kong at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai. The Men in Blue started things off in the 2022 edition of the Asia Cup with a remarkable 5-wicket victory against Pakistan. India will qualify for the Super 4 stage of the T20 competition, if they win today’s game against Hong Kong.

IND vs HK: Why is Hardik Pandya Not Playing Today?

After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, India captain Rohit Sharma noted that the in-form Hardik Pandya is not part of the playing XI for this match against Hong Kong. The Indian skipper clearly stated that they have decided to rest the seam bowling all-rounder in order to manage his workload. Hardik was the star performer in the high-octane clash against Pakistan where he first took three crucial wickets with the ball and then also smacked an unbeaten 33 runs off only 17 deliveries under immense pressure. He was also named the Player of the Match. In his absence, wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant returns to the side after sitting out in the previous encounter.

Confirmed India Playing 11

1. Rohit Sharma (C)
2. KL Rahul
3. Virat Kohli
4. Rishabh Pant (wk)
5. Suryakumar Yadav
6. Ravindra Jadeja
7. Dinesh Karthik 
8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
9. Avesh Khan
10. Arshdeep Singh
11. Yuzvendra Chahal

“We were going to bowl first as well. Looks like an even covering of grass and we need to bat well to get to a good score. We just want to continue to do what we are doing as a team. We don’t want to look at the opposition and play good and hard cricket. We need to do our basics right, which is what got us a victory against Pakistan. One change: Hardik is rested considering how important he is for us, Pant comes in,” said Indian captain Rohit Sharma at the toss.

Related: Who will win Asia Cup 2022?

A look at #TeamIndia’s playing today. ?

1 change as Hardik Pandya has been rested and Rishabh Pant replaces him. https://t.co/9txNRez6hL… #INDvHK #AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/jLYqBBja3R

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 31, 2022

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