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The India national cricket team will host the Afghanistan national cricket team for a three-match ODI series after the one-off Test. Shubman Gill’s team will take the field at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala on Friday. However, the team’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who was declared fit before the series, got injured at the last moment.
Hardik Pandya recently suffered an injury during his rehab at the COE in Bengaluru, as he suffered the injury at the last minute after being declared fit. The Mumbai Indians captain suffered a fresh leg injury, ruling him out of the three-match ODI series. Ahead of next year’s ODI World Cup and finding a reliable backup for Hardik Pandya is a serious concern.
His injury-plagued career has hampered his availability – Suresh Raina on Hardik Pandya
Speaking on JioStar’s ‘Follow the Blues’, former India batsman Suresh Raina has asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to find a replacement for the injured all-rounder. Hardik Pandya has been the only fast bowling all-rounder to provide balance to the ODI team.
But his injury-plagued career has hampered his availability, causing India problems whenever he is absent. “Hardik Pandya has suffered a number of injuries, which is a matter of concern. By the time the next ODI World Cup comes, India should have a reliable backup for him,” Raina said.
Hardik’s absence in the ODI World Cup 2023 was largely glaring, as he was ruled out of the tournament midway through the game against Bangladesh. The Men in Blue struggled to replace the balance he brought to the team and ultimately played without him in key matches and also played the final without the sixth bowling option.
He bowled with good pace and control – Suresh Raina picks Nitish Kumar Reddy as replacement
“His batting has become more solid. He bowled with good pace and control in the IPL and his fitness has also been good. The team management will have to manage his workload carefully and give him consistent opportunities,” Raina said.
Suresh Raina believes that the Men in Blue should groom Nitish Kumar Reddy as he can emerge as a strong contender to replace Pandya. He said, “Both are proven run-scorers in the ICC World Cup. They have won ICC trophies and know how to handle pressure in knockout matches. Having Rohit and Virat together will be a big advantage for Shubman Gill, who is captaining India in the World Cup.”
Nitish Kumar Reddy is gearing up as the new all-rounder
The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) all-rounder featured in four ODIs and scored a half-century during the home series against New Zealand in January. During the Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, he bowled with the new ball more often and bowled more overs than in any previous season, while consistently bowling at speeds in excess of 135 kmph. This shows his improvement in the bowling department.
Apart from Hardik Pandya, Virat Kohli is also likely to miss the ODI series after suffering a hamstring injury during the IPL 2026 final. Given his recent form in white-ball cricket across India and the IPL, the former India captain will be sorely missed by the Men in Blue. Another veteran, Rohit Sharma, has been deemed fit and is set to play in the first game.
