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The India National Cricket Team is facing a fresh selection headache just before the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. The main concern is Hardik Pandya once again getting injured at the wrong time. This forced Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir to prepare Nitish Kumar Reddy as the stable all-round option in the 50-over format.
Hardik Pandya has already missed several IPL 2026 matches for the Mumbai Indians because of back spasms, and then he spent a couple of weeks at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru to get medical clearance to play in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan.
Hardik Pandya’s fresh injury gives Gautam Gambhir big selection headache
However, just before the first IND vs AFG ODI on June 13, Hardik Pandya was once again left injured, suffering a low-grade quadriceps strain just before joining the squad in Dharamshala. The fresh injury has put the star all-rounder’s availability for the ODI series under serious doubt.
It is being said that there is growing concern about Hardik’s fitness, especially keeping in mind the ICC World Cup 2027. India really depends on Pandya as the main fast-bowling all-rounder, but repeated injuries are forcing the Indian team management to think about backup options.
This situation pushed the head coach Gautam Gambhir and selectors to look at Nitish Kumar Reddy as the long-term seam-bowling all-rounder prospect. The young all-rounder has been training hard in the nets and has reportedly bowled at the nets for a longer time in Dharamshala.
Nitish Kumar Reddy being prepared as Hardik Pandya's backup in ODIs
Nitish Kumar Reddy has also been working with a UK-based bowling coach, Stefan Jones, to improve his pace and fitness. India is scheduled to play around 20 to 27 ODI matches before the ICC World Cup 2027, so Reddy is likely to get more chances even if Hardik Pandya comes back to keep him ready for bigger roles.
It is being said that the Indian team management do not want a situation where they do not have a fully fit all-rounder who can bowl fast and also bat in the lower order before the mega event.
A BCCI source was quoted as saying by Times of India: “The team doesn’t want to get caught in a situation where they don’t have a seam-bowling all-rounder ready close to the World Cup. There have been discussions where they wanted to prepare for life without Hardik.”
Harshit Rana is part of India’s long-term ICC World Cup 2027 plans
Another young pacer, Harshit Rana, is also being looked at as a backup option. Even though he is still coming back from injury and fitness tests are pending, the Delhi lad is already part of ODI World Cup plans. All-rounder Shivam Dube is also in the mix, but his contribution is under the radar.
The source added, “Rana is an integral part of the team management’s plans. He showed he can contribute with useful runs batting at no. 8. The team management is willing to get him ready on the road. He too needs enough game time. They will gradually increase his workload.”
