‘Can't go there half-cooked’: Gambhir’s message for Hardik Pandya ahead of 2027 WC
India cricket head coach Gautam Gambhir has emphasized that all-rounder Hardik Pandya needs sufficient competitive game time to avoid being underprepared for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Pandya's limited participation in the 50-over format following the IPL has raised concerns about his rhythm and workload management ahead of the tournament.
Why it matters
High-performance sports management decisions heavily influence national team composition and success in major international tournaments like the World Cup.
Hardik Pandya’s workload and lack of recent cricket could become a key consideration for India as they build towards the 2027 ODI World Cup, with head coach Gautam Gambhir stressing the all-rounder’s need for sufficient game time before the global tournament.India begin their World Cup preparations with the upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies, but will be without both Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah is away on Asian Games duty, while Pandya is still not fit to bowl 10 overs in an ODI.Gambhir, however, made it clear that both remain central to India’s plans for the World Cup in South Africa.“Whether it's Hardik, whether it's Jasprit Bumrah, both of them are going to be extremely important for us in South Africa.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in