Sourav Ganguly, former India captain, has identified Hardik Pandya as a vital cog in the Indian XI, as he believes that the star fast-bowling all-rounder is crucial for the Indian team’s balance at the 2027 Men's ODI World Cup in South Africa.
Ganguly further added that keeping him fit and match-ready will be head coach Gautam Gambhir's biggest off-field challenge leading into the marquee event. Pandya has been out of action since IPL 2026, after initially suffering back spasms and then battling other ailments like a quad injury.
Thursday saw the ICC officially release the fixture list for the 2027 Men's ODI World Cup in Cape Town, thereby setting the stage for the event to take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia between 2 October and 21 November.
India has been put into Group A of the ICC World Cup 2026 main draw, along with Afghanistan, Australia, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, and Qualifier A. The Men in Blue will begin their World Cup 2027 campaign against Australia on October 7 in Cape Town.
Hardik Pandya has played two World Cups in 2019 in England and 2023 at home in India, though he was ruled out of the 2023 competition after sustaining an ankle injury against Bangladesh in Pune.
"I think Hardik Pandya is very important to India's balance in the World Cup. That's one of Gambhir's and the team's biggest challenges: to get him fit in the park. I don't think he plays enough cricket, but for India, the balance has got to be right. If Hardik is injured, the next best option is Nitish Reddy.
But if they have to look at Nitish Reddy as a second option to Hardik Pandya, then he must play all cricket till the World Cup. Jadeja is another option, whether they will look at him, because he is a terrific batter at number seven and is playing against the West Indies currently,” Ganguly told JioStar.
“But I think in October in South Africa, you will need a seaming all-rounder because none of the top five batters bowl. So, you will have to get that fifth or sixth bowling option from somewhere. So that's an area where India needs to find the right person. And that's why I keep saying Pandya is very important," added Ganguly.
Ganguly talked about India’s opening game of the 2027 World Cup against Australia and noticed that it was a rematch of the 2003 World Cup final, where he captained India.
He stated that facing Australia was a better option than facing Pakistan, whom they clash with on October 10 in Johannesburg. However, Ganguly was more interested in a potential Super 7 clash against the hosts, South Africa.
"Good to see that India started with Australia because we are too used to India starting against Pakistan. You have to play two good teams at any stage. It doesn't matter whether it comes first or whether it comes later.
I think the ICC has realized that India-Pakistan is no longer the India-Pakistan game in terms of the level of competition. Pakistan is too weak, and India has been beating them for a long time. I'm actually looking forward to the India-South Africa game, which will probably take place in the second round. South Africa is a gun team at the moment,” Ganguly said.
“Many of the regulars are not even a part of the squad that is playing Australia at the moment, and they have beaten them. Also, a World Cup in South Africa will be phenomenal. I was involved in SA20 last year, and the turnout for the franchise tournament was unreal. Every ground and every stand was full," added Ganguly.
Hardik Pandya last played for India in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
(IANS inputs)
