India, the hosts of the Cricket World Cup, suffered a huge blow on Friday after all-rounder Hardik Pandya was ruled out of the top-of-the-table clash with New Zealand due to an ankle injury.

Pandya twisted his left ankle while bowling his first over for India against Bangladesh, whom they defeated by seven wickets on Thursday in the western city of Pune.

While bowling the third ball of the over, the 30-year-old Pandya attempted to field a ball knocked back to him by Bangladesh opener Litton Das, but instead rolled his ankle as he tumbled to the ground.

Pandya could not finish bowling the over, as Virat Kohli bowled the remaining three deliveries.

Later, Pandya underwent scans and the Indian Cricket Board, the BCCI, confirmed on Friday afternoon that he would miss the next match against New Zealand in Dharamsala on Sunday.

“Team India vice-captain Hardik Pandya sustained an injury to his left ankle while fielding on his own bowling during India’s match against Bangladesh at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune,” the BCCI said in a statement.

“The all-rounder was taken for scans and is advised rest. He will be under the constant supervision of the BCCI Medical Team.

“He will not be taking the flight to Dharamsala with the team on 20th October,” the statement said, adding that Pandya is expected to join back with the team for their match against defending champions England on October 29 in the northern city of Lucknow.

Pandya’s absence will be a huge blow to India, who are currently second in the points table behind New Zealand only owing to the net run rate (NRR).

So far, Pandya has picked up five wickets in four matches for India, having bowled a total of 16 overs.

As an all-rounder who can be a specialist batter and also make a difference with the ball, Pandya’s spot in the team is almost irreplaceable. There is no like-for-like replacement for Pandya available in the squad.

However, the 2011 champions could tweak their combination against the Kiwis and perhaps bring in Suryakumar Yadav for Pandya and Mohammed Shami for Shardul Thakur, ESPNCricinfo website reported.

Hosts India have looked ruthless so far in the 50-overs World Cup, having won all four matches so far, thanks to an all-round performance.

They started their campaign with an impressive six-wicket victory over title favorites Australia before smashing minnows Afghanistan by eight wickets.

In the third match against their arch-rivals Pakistan, India won comfortably by seven wickets in front of a fully packed 130,000-capacity stadium in Ahmedabad.

They head into Sunday’s match against New Zealand on the back of a seven-wicket win against Bangladesh.