The Hardik Pandya Dilemma: Why Suresh Raina Wants India to Look Beyond its Star All-Rounder

As India kicks off its 2027 ODI World Cup cycle, former cricketer Suresh Raina warns that the team cannot afford to remain tethered to the fitness uncertainty of their premier fast-bowling all-rounder.

The familiar ache of uncertainty has returned to the Indian dressing room. As the squad prepares for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, the absence of Hardik Pandya due to a fresh leg strain—sustained during training at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence—serves as a grim reminder of a recurring structural flaw. For years, the team has relied on Hardik to provide the balance that a genuine pace-bowling all-rounder offers. Yet, his persistent injury struggles, which left India a bowler short in the 2023 World Cup final, have prompted a blunt assessment from veteran Suresh Raina.

Speaking on the show Follow the Blues, Raina made it clear that "having a backup on paper" is no longer enough. The warning is pointed: by the time the 2027 ODI World Cup arrives, India must have a reliable alternative who has actually clocked enough game time to handle the pressure of an ICC event. For the management, the series against Afghanistan is not just a routine bilateral engagement; it is a laboratory to stress-test the squad’s depth.

The Case for Nitish Kumar Reddy

Raina has identified Nitish Kumar Reddy as the prime candidate to fill this void. The young all-rounder’s trajectory has been promising, with a solid showing in the latest IPL season where he displayed both control with the ball—clocking speeds over 135 kph—and a maturing temperament with the bat.

Having already made his debut in the format and secured a half-century against New Zealand earlier this year, Reddy represents the kind of proactive planning the Indian team has often lacked. Raina emphasized that the team management must move beyond mere selection; they need to manage his workload carefully while ensuring he receives consistent opportunities to build the match-hardened confidence required for the global stage.

Why it Matters: The Balance of Power

The broader concern here is the systemic reliance on a single player. When Hardik is absent, the team’s composition often shifts, forcing the captain to choose between an extra specialist bowler or a deeper batting line-up, rarely managing to balance both. With Shubman Gill leading the side, the presence of veterans like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be vital in navigating these selection headaches.

Raina’s call to action is a nudge toward long-term institutional memory. Relying on a player whose fitness profile has become increasingly volatile is a gamble that has already cost India silverware. Developing a successor is not a slight against Hardik’s undeniable talent; it is a necessity for a team that aspires to dominate the 2027 World Cup. If India wants to avoid the tactical scrambling seen in previous tournaments, the "backup" role needs to evolve into a starting-caliber position, starting with the immediate games ahead.