NEW DELHI, Oct 22: India face a significant selection challenge ahead of the 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup, with Hardik Pandya’s recurring injuries raising doubts over the team’s balance and the availability of a dependable replacement.
Pandya has not represented India since the 2026 T20 World Cup final in March. His ability to provide seam bowling and contribute valuable runs in the lower middle order makes him a key component of the team’s plans for the tournament in South Africa.
Speaking on Wisden’s The Scoop, journalist Gaurav Kalra highlighted the difficulty of replacing an all-rounder capable of bowling a full 10-over quota while strengthening the batting.India have tested Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube and Suryansh Shedge as possible alternatives, but none has established himself as a like-for-like replacement. Dube has taken only three wickets in six ODIs, while Reddy’s experience and fitness remain concerns. Shedge has shown promise but lacks international exposure. (Agencies)