After winning the T-20 World Cup, Team India’s next target is the 2027 One-Day World Cup. The Board has already started advanced planning for this tournament. Although names haven’t been officially disclosed, a list of 20 cricketers has been prepared. All-rounder Hardik Pandya is also on this list.
However, the Board has placed a special condition on the all-rounder: if Hardik cannot bowl a full quota of 10 overs, he will not find a place in the team. Out of the 88 ODI matches Hardik has played so far, he has bowled the full 10 overs in only 18 matches. Those matches were played before his surgery in 2019. Since the surgery, Hardik has not bowled 10 overs in any match.
The Board has instructed Hardik to be ready to bowl 10 overs as required in the One-Day World Cup. Since the World Cup will be held in South Africa, pace bowling will carry more importance. This means it is almost certain that there will be four pacers in the playing eleven. Hardik’s role will be that of the fifth bowler. Notably, the Board is also keeping an eye on Nitish Kumar Reddy as a potential alternative to Hardik.
Board’s Instruction to Hardik Ahead of One-Day World Cup Mandatory to Bowl 10 Overs in Every Match
