Hardik Pandya, Nitish Reddy Replacements India Can Bring For 2027 World Cup

Hardik and Reddy's injuries might prompt India to prepare their backups [Source: AFP]

India are without their first-choice seam-bowling all-rounders- Hardik Pandya and Nitish Reddy- in the ongoing ODI series against Afghanistan. 

Hardik Pandya, who was initially included in the India squad vs Afghanistan, was ruled out of the series due to a leg sprain. Meanwhile, after featuring in the series opener in Dharamsala, Nitish Reddy was sidelined from the second ODI due to a freshly diagnosed quad injury. 

Nitish Reddy and Hardik Pandya are undoubtedly India's two most prolific seam bowling allrounders. 

However, considering their careers have frequently been marred by injury setbacks, the Men in Blue might prepare one of the following players as their replacements ahead of the 2027 World Cup. 

Hardik Pandya, Nitish Reddy's potential replacements for 2027 World Cup

The 2027 World Cup will be played on the African continent, where fast bowlers play a significant role. While India have a formidable pool of potent fast bowling options, the presence of seam allrounders will further strengthen their lineup. 

So, with the Men in Blue preparing for the showpiece event, here are three alternative options they can bring as backups for Hardik Pandya and Nitish Reddy for the 2027 World Cup. 

2. Suryansh Shedge

(Suryansh Shedge's List-A stats)

Suryansh Shedge is a promising all-rounder who plays for Punjab Kings in the IPL. He was impressive in the IPL 2026, amassing 158 runs at a strike rate of 175.56. 

He is a powerful striker of the ball, and his ability to chip in with a few overs of medium pace makes Shedge a proper backup for Pandya and Nitish. 

Additionally, Suryansh Shedge has oozed his class in the Tri-Nation series in Sri Lanka. He has been one of the shining lights for India-A in an otherwise torrid campaign, scoring 145 runs at an average of 48.33 and a strike rate of 125. 

Thus, Suryansh Shedge is someone India can try out if they want a like-for-like replacement for the injury-prone duo of Hardik Pandya and Nitish Reddy for the 2027 World Cup. 

2. Arshad Khan

Young allrounder Arshad Khan is known for his swing bowling with the new ball. A left-arm pacer who can hit a long ball, Arshad has been a valuable asset for Gujarat Titans in the IPL. 

While his List-A numbers with the bat are not extraordinary, Arshad Khan has shown his hitting prowess in T20s. Statistically, he has managed 249 runs, including a half-century, at a strike rate of 152.76. 

He bagged six wickets and struck at an incredible rate of 209.09 in the IPL 2026 for Gujarat Titans. 

Talking about his performance in the Tri-Nation series, Arshad has scalped four wickets in three innings at a healthy strike rate of 26 and an economy of 5.55. 

So, if India can create some room for an additional specialist batter in their lineup, Arshad Khan can be fit as a bowling allrounder lower down the order. 

3. Shardul Thakur

If the Indian team management wants a proven warhorse for the 2027 World Cup, Shardul Thakur might receive a recall to the ODI team. 

Regarded as a genuine wicket-taker, especially in the middle overs, Shardul Thakur can play handy cameos lower down the order. 

His ability to hit the hard length and outfox the batters with wily variations presents Thakur as an option worth considering for the pace-friendly South African conditions. 

He has played 47 ODIs for India, scoring 329 runs, including one half-century, at a strike rate of 105.11. Thakur has bagged 33 wickets, and his experience could certainly make him a makeshift choice as Pandya and Reddy's potential backup for the 2027 World Cup. 

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