Sourav Ganguly explains why Hardik Pandya remains important to India’s aspirations for the 2027 World Cup in South Africa. The former India captain emphasised that getting Pandya fit and accessible is one of the major problems for team management and head coach Gautam Gambhir. Ganguly recognised that Pandya did not play enough cricket, but stressed that India’s balance is significantly reliant on his presence in the team.

Sourav Ganguly spoke to JioStar following the revelation of the 2027 World Cup schedule, detailing India’s options if Pandya becomes unavailable due to injury. He suggested Nitish Reddy as a potential backup to Pandya, but with a caveat.

That is one of Gambhir’s and the team’s toughest challenges: getting him fit on the pitch. I don’t think he plays enough cricket, but for India, the balance must be right. If Hardik is injured, Nitish Reddy is the next best choice. But if they have to consider Nitish Reddy as a backup to Hardik Pandya, he must play every cricket until the World Cup.”

According to the quoted source, Ganguly stated, “Jadeja is another option, and they may consider him because he is a fantastic batsman at number seven and is currently playing against the West Indies. However, I believe that in October, South Africa will require a seaming all-rounder because none of the top five batsmen bowl. So you’ll have to find a fifth or sixth bowling option elsewhere.

So this is an area where India must locate the proper person. And that’s why I keep saying Pandya is so crucial,” he explained.

I believe Hardik Pandya is critical to India’s balance in the World Cup.

Ganguly’s preference for a seaming all-rounder underlines India’s special needs for the South African conditions in October. The former captain emphasised that none of India’s top five batters bowl, making it critical to identify a fifth or sixth bowler from the middle order. This structural requirement highlights why Pandya’s dual role as a batter and bowler makes him critical to the team’s composition.

Ganguly selected Nitish Reddy as the key backup in case Pandya is unavailable, but emphasised that Reddy must play consistently across all forms leading up to the World Cup. Ravindra Jadeja was considered as another candidate, with Ganguly citing Jadeja’s batting abilities at number seven and his present participation in India’s series against the West Indies.

Sourav Ganguly also reviewed India’s opening match in the competition, pointing out a big alteration in the scheduling strategy. He applauded the choice to start India against Australia rather than Pakistan, which is a typical World Cup pairing. Sourav Ganguly outlined the explanation for the adjustment and pondered on the present competition between the two nations.

It’s good to see India start with Australia instead of Pakistan, as we’re used to India starting with Pakistan. You must play two good teams at any time. It doesn’t matter if it comes first or later. I believe the ICC has recognised that the level of competitiveness between India and Pakistan is no longer the same.

“Pakistan is too weak, and India has been beating them for a long time,” Sourav Ganguly stated. I’m looking forward to the India-South Africa game, which will most likely take place in the second round. South Africa is now operating as a firearms team.

Many of the regulars aren’t even in the group that’s currently playing Australia, and they beat them. Also, a World Cup in South Africa would be incredible. I participated in SA20 last year, and the turnout for the franchise competition was incredible. “Every ground and every stand was full,” he said.

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South Africa remains a powerful team despite the absence of numerous regular players from their current lineup, and Sourav Ganguly is particularly interested in the India-South Africa match. The former captain anticipates this encounter to take place in the tournament’s second round and used his experience with the SA20 franchise league to emphasise the tournament environment in South Africa.

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