Hardik Pandya: Former Indian team all-rounder Irfan Pathan has expressed concern over Hardik Pandya’s injuries. He believes that due to continuous injuries, the team management and selectors may lose confidence in Hardik’s fitness. Hardik is currently out of India’s home series against West Indies. He was supposed to make a comeback on the field by playing for India A against Australia A, but due to a new calf injury, he was ruled out of this series as well. Because of this his return has been further delayed.
Expressing disappointment over Hardik’s injuries, Pathan said, “It is unfortunate for any player that Hardik is getting injured without playing. You play, get injured and then get injured again during rehabilitation. He has also been out of the India A series. This will reduce the confidence of the team management and selectors. Getting injured due to continuous playing and increasing workload is a different thing.”
Reliance on Nitish Reddy as Hardik’s option
Amidst the uncertainty regarding Hardik’s fitness, Irfan Pathan has advised the Indian team to prepare fast bowling all-rounders. Supporting Nitish Kumar Reddy, he said that the team management should give him more opportunities. Pathan said, “Whenever an opportunity arises, it is important for the team management to prepare two all-rounders. That is why Nitish will be given a chance. Now his responsibility is to perform well and stay fit. We have seen continuous improvement in his game. The speed of his bowling has increased and he has worked hard on his bowling.”
Nitish’s performance in the first ODI against West Indies
Nitish Kumar Reddy has shown improvement in his bowling in recent times. After returning from injury, he also bowled in the T20 series against Afghanistan. Initially he was selected in the Indian team for the Asian Games 2026, but later another player was included in his place and he got a place in the ODI team against West Indies. In the first ODI, Nitish bowled 5 overs and took 1 wicket for 45 runs.