BCCI appoints KL Rahul as the vice-captain for the Indian team as Hardik Pandya out of ODI World Cup 2023

KL Rahul has been appointed as Indian team's vice-captain instead of Hardik Pandya as India's star all-rounder will not be able to play in the current ODI World Cup 2023 due to injury. BCCI confirms that on Saturday.

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Hardik Pandya was India's vice-captain in the ODI World Cup 2023. Due to his injury, KL Rahul will be seen standing behind the wicket in the role of vice-captain of Team India at Eden on Sunday.

Not only with the bat but also behind the wicket, KL Rahul has caught the attention of the current ODI World Cup 2023. The 31-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman from Karnataka played an unbeaten innings of 97 runs against Australia in Chennai in the first match. Rahul has previously led the country in ODIs. So, with Hardik out, Rahul's name emerged first as Team India's vice-captain.

It is learnt that one of the reasons why the selection committee preferred him over pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is that from his vantage point as a wicket-keeper, Rahul can have a better understanding of what is happening during the course of the game.

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Hardik Pandya did not return to the ODI World Cup 2023 after recovering from an ankle injury. Hardik suffered a serious ankle injury while bowling during match against Bangladesh in Pune on October 19. Initially, it was thought that the captain of Gujarat Titans will return after one or two matches. But as time goes by it is understood that Hardik's injury will be difficult.

Finally, on Saturday, BCCI informed that Hardik will not be able to play in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023. Promising pacer Prasidh Krishna was brought in as his replacement.