Ganguly names Hardik Pandya vital to India 2027 World Cup plans
Ganguly said Hardik Pandya is crucial to India's balance at the 2027 ODI World Cup and warned that keeping him fit is Gautam Gambhir's biggest challenge.
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly said Hardik Pandya remains essential to India's balance at the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa. Ganguly told JioStar that keeping Pandya fit and match-ready is head coach Gautam Gambhir's biggest off-field challenge. He noted that Pandya has played two previous World Cups for India in 2019 and 2023.
Ganguly said India need a seaming all-rounder because none of the top five batters bowl. He added that if Hardik is unavailable, Nitish Reddy is the next option but must play regularly until the tournament. Ravindra Jadeja is another possibility at number seven. The ICC launched the 2027 schedule in Cape Town on Thursday, with the event running from October 2 to November 21 across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Ganguly welcomed India's opening fixture against Australia, calling it a good sign. He said he is looking forward to a potential Super 7 clash against South Africa. India will face Australia on October 7 in Cape Town, a rematch of the 2023 final.
CricHubb Take
Ganguly's emphasis on Pandya shows India still lacks a reliable seaming all-rounder outside their first-choice option, a gap that has persisted since the 2023 tournament.