The dna

If Ravichandran Ashwin:  The notion has always been that a fit and in-form Hardik Pandya brings India the balance and skills it brings and craves for in white-ball cricket – an effective batter in the lower-order capable of providing finishing touches and a fast-bowling option who can land a significant impact in any phase of the game.

When Hardik left the field after suffering a left ankle injury against Bangladesh at MCA Stadium in Pune while trying to stop a boundary off his own bowling, the worst nightmare of the Indian team plus its passionate fans, who fell silent on seeing the all-rounder being attended to by the physio - seemed to be coming true – of not seeing him in action.

A day later, after India beat Bangladesh by seven wickets, the BCCI said Hardik will be resting and will not be traveling with the team to Dharamshala for its clash against New Zealand at Dharamshala on Sunday, with an expectation to be fit in time for the match against England on October 29 in Lucknow.