Hardik Pandya’s ODI Selection Delay Reason Emerges
Hardik Pandya, India’s star all-rounder, is currently not considered for every bilateral ODI series by the BCCI. Instead, the board is focused on keeping him fully healthy for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup.
Although his recent injury has delayed his return, management believes that limiting his workload now will allow him to play at his peak during the showpiece competition.
Previously, Hardik began a rigorous training programme at the BCCI CoE in Bengaluru as part of his preparations for the 2027 World Cup. However, another injury during his recovery forced the board to rethink its strategy and prioritise his long-term fitness.
Notably, Hardik Pandya experienced a back spasm during IPL 2026. Following that, he undertook recovery at CoE and even bowled his entire quota of 10 overs during training sessions.
However, soon before India’s ODI series against Afghanistan, he had a minor quadriceps strain. As a result, he missed the series against Afghanistan and England.
According to RevSportz, the injury was minor, but it delayed his fitness clearance.
According to the source, Hardik is presently pursuing a unique “performance block” schedule. The BCCI prefers that he achieve optimum fitness before the 2027 World Cup, rather than returning for a bilateral series.According to the report, Hardik’s recovery had some hiccups, but everything is fine now.
Why is the BCCI not prioritising Hardik Pandya selection?
According to the report, the BCCI does not want Hardik Pandya to play every white-ball series in the coming year. Instead, he will primarily be employed in the 50-over format when needed. Bilateral ODI series are no longer the all-rounder’s prime priority.
Notably, the Indian board believes that carefully regulating his effort will lower the danger of a future injury. The major goal is to ensure Hardik Pandya is fully fit for the 2027 ODI World Cup.The focus is on the 2027 World Cup, where Hardik must be totally healthy,” the insider stated.
India Still Looking for Hardik Pandya’s Backup
Meanwhile, India is looking for a reliable backup for Hardik Pandya. Several fast-bowling all-rounders have been tested, but none have been able to equal his total impact.
Notably, Harshit Rana is one of the top contenders, having taken 26 wickets in 14 ODI innings and scoring 124 runs. However, injuries have also hampered his progress. On the other hand, Shivam Dube has struggled to create an impact in One-Day Internationals. He has only scored 43 runs and taken three wickets in six innings.
It is also worth noting that Nitish Kumar Reddy has emerged as a promising option, aided by assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate. Despite his little international experience, NKR has performed admirably in List A matches, amassing 679 runs in 25 innings and collecting 23 wickets in 32 innings.
Despite these rising stars, Hardik remains India’s most valuable pace bowling all-rounder. He has scored 1,904 runs and claimed 91 wickets in 94 One-Day Internationals. As a result, if he remains fit, his experience and match-winning ability will be critical to India’s chances of winning the 2027 ODI World Cup.
