Suresh Raina Advocates for Hardik Pandya's Backup Ahead of 2027 ODI World Cup

The Need for a Reliable Backup

In a recent discussion, former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina emphasized the necessity of establishing a dependable backup for star all-rounder Hardik Pandya as the 2027 ODI World Cup approaches. He pointed out the impressive performances of Nitish Kumar Reddy in the Indian Premier League (IPL), suggesting that Reddy should be given ample opportunities to gain confidence.

Currently, Pandya is sidelined from the ODIs against Afghanistan and has also been excluded from the T20I squads for the upcoming tours to Ireland and England, as well as the Asian Games scheduled for September due to an injury. While training at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence, he sustained a leg strain, which followed previous back spasms that caused him to miss four matches for the Mumbai Indians (MI) during the IPL.

Throughout the IPL season, Pandya struggled to make an impact with both bat and ball, leading MI to finish in the lower half of the standings. He managed to score only 206 runs in 10 innings, averaging 22.88 with a strike rate of 138.25, and took just four wickets.

On the show 'Follow the Blues' on JioStar, Raina praised Nitish's improved batting and bowling skills during the IPL, stating that in Pandya's absence, "his stocks will rise."

"Hardik Pandya has faced multiple injury challenges, which raises concerns. By the time the next ODI World Cup arrives, India needs a trustworthy backup for him. This is where Nitish Kumar Reddy's value will increase. He has shown significant improvement as a player, with solid batting and effective bowling in the IPL, along with good fitness. However, the team management must carefully manage his workload and gradually integrate him into the role. Once he is fully fit, they should provide him with consistent opportunities. A backup needs game time to build confidence, not just a spot on paper," Raina explained.

This IPL season, Nitish accumulated 302 runs in 13 innings, averaging 30.20 with a strike rate of 171.59 for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), including a half-century. He also claimed eight wickets, showcasing his bowling prowess with speeds reaching late 130s and early 140s, securing crucial wickets.

The first ODI of the three-match series between India and Afghanistan is set to take place on Friday in Dharamsala.

India's squad for the Afghanistan ODIs includes: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, and Harsh Dubey.