A fit Hardik Pandya, according to former Indian batter WV Raman, can provide India a significant advantage in the 2027 ODI World Cup because of his versatility as a bowler and batsman.
Raman called on the team management to spend the next 12 to 15 months to experiment, finalize the squad, and define individual responsibilities prior to the competition, but he also emphasized that Pandya’s involvement will depend on his ability to sustain fitness levels.
“I believe that he can be a terrific cricketer for the Indian team. The flexibility he can provide if fit and able to bowl 10 overs is invaluable. But I think it will all come down to the fitness levels he can maintain,” Raman told PTI Videos in an exclusive interview in Chennai.
“Even for this Afghanistan series, he was picked in the squad, but unfortunately, he was pulled out at the last minute because of injuries,” he observed.
Raman believes that India’s 15 ODIs before to the World Cup should be used to find the ideal lineup and address the team’s recurring difficulties in knockout games. Raman thinks the club management needs to go into “experimental mode” for the upcoming year.
“Having reached the knockout stage eight times and succeeded only twice shows that the team management needs to look at various options and get into an experimental mode,” he said.
“The 12 to 15 months leading up to the tournament are very important. They must utilise all bilateral series to try different combinations. This will help players discover themselves and allow the management to assess their main strength, bench strength and possible options as the World Cup approaches,” he added.
In addition to losing the finals in 2003 and 2023 and losing in the semi-finals in 1987, 1996, 2015, and 2019, India has won the ODI World Cup twice, in 1983 and 2011.
Raman stated that although India’s overall white-ball record is still exceptional, the emphasis must be on doing well under pressure.
“They have been extraordinarily good in the white-ball format despite not winning the 50-over World Cup. They were perhaps found wanting in crucial periods of knockout games and they will address that,” he added.
Raman acknowledged the veteran opener’s contribution to Indian cricket but left the choice over Rohit Sharma’s future in the ODI squad to the team management and selectors.
“Rohit is an individual who has done extraordinarily well in that format. He is one of the greats of the game. Whether he is still as good as he was is something for the team management to decide,” he said.
Raman emphasized the performances of up-and-coming batters like Sanju Samson and Sai Sudharsan, stating that the selectors would need to evaluate the players’ entire contribution to the team in addition to their ability to score runs. Regarding India’s bowling possibilities, Raman stated that the fight for spots is encouraging because there are a number of good pacers available.
“We have Siraj, Bumrah, Arshdeep and Hardik. Apart from that, there are players like Gurnoor Brar, Prince Yadav and Harshit Rana. Having so many options is fantastic for Indian cricket,” he said.
Raman also supported Shubman Gill’s growth as captain, stating that experience enhances leadership.
“Captains are judged by outcomes. It is impossible for any captain to be right all the time. But he is obviously a quick learner and is growing as a captain,” he said.
Raman warned against forming snap judgments and urged patience about teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
“Let’s not take a crystal ball and try to assess what he can become. Things will pan out. He has shown he is not afraid of taking on the best in the business. Age is on his side. Just allow him to play his cricket,” he said.
