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Ravichandran Ashwin has given a strong statement on the importance of Hardik Pandya in India’s plans for the ICC World Cup 2027. Ashwin believes that Hardik Pandya is one of the most valuable players of the Indian cricket team but due to his frequent injury problems, he has to be ready with a backup plan as well.
Hardik is still a key part of India’s long-term strategy, but his selection for the 2027 ODI World Cup will largely depend on his fitness. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya joined BCCI’s new Performance Block Program.
Hardik Pandya’s fitness will decide his 2027 ICC World Cup future
The selectors reportedly want Hardik to prove that he can consistently bowl his full quota of 10 overs in ODI cricket before fully committing to the mega events in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The star all-rounder is seen as the X-factor for India in ICC events. Whenever he is fit, he brings balance to the team with both bat and ball. However, injuries have repeatedly interrupted his career. During IPL 2026, he was battling a back problem, and while working on his recovery at the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru, he developed another problem. He has a quadriceps injury.
The star all-rounder suffered the injury while trying to increase his bowling workload and prepare himself for the demands of the 50-over format. It also ruled him out of India’s recent ODI series against Afghanistan and the upcoming white-ball tour of England.
Ravichandran Ashwin explains why India can’t afford to lose Hardik again
Amid so much speculation, Ravichandran Ashwin feels India’s experience during the 2023 ODI World Cup clearly showed why Hardik Pandya is so important. He pointed out that when the all-rounder got injured during the tournament, India’s entire team combination changed.
This affected their campaign in the deciding stage of the tournament. Ultimately, the Men in Blue suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad.
Ravichandran Ashwin said in a video on his YouTube channel: “If your team has 6 bowling options, it is fine. In 2023, Hardik played such a big role in our 50-over World Cup and as soon as he got injured, we lost the balance. Our plan was to play 3 spinners and 3 fast bowlers towards the end of the tournament.”
But when Hardik got injured we lost our complete combination and balance of the team. After this we had to play 5 bowlers. So, the point is that Hardik is very important. Hardik plays T20 cricket comfortably. He gets injured many times in both the formats. That’s why he left Test cricket. So, I think, Hardik, that experience in South Africa is important.
Ashwin urges India to groom Nitish Kumar Reddy as Hardik Pandya’s backup
Ashwin also urged the Indian team management to ensure that Hardik Pandya remains fit and available for a long time. But considering Hardik’s injury history, the former Indian off-spinner has suggested that the team should prepare a backup option for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
“How we keep him fit and give him game time is very important. If we can’t do that, we should also have a backup. Because Hardik can get injured. Who is his backup option? There is only one option available, and that is Nitish Kumar Reddy. If Hardik doesn’t do the job, we have to prepare Nitish Kumar Reddy,” he said.
No Hardik Pandya, no World Cup? Ashwin made a big claim
: Hardik Pandya is crucial to India’s World Cup plans as his all-round ability gives the team six bowling options.
He told that Hardik’s injury has spoiled India’s balance in the 2023 World Cup, hence… pic.twitter.com/bF0GK7m4ax
– Sam (@cricsam02) June 23, 2026