Former cricketer WV Raman believes that all‑rounder Hardik Pandya could play a pivotal role in India’s pursuit of a third ODI World Cup title in 2027, provided he remains fit and can contribute with both bat and ball.
His capacity to act as a genuine pace‑bowling all‑rounder makes Pandya one of India’s most valuable assets in the 50‑over format. Raman asserts that if the 32‑year‑old can regularly deliver his full quota of overs, he would provide the team considerable flexibility in the tournament.
“I am confident he can become a superb cricketer for India. The flexibility he offers, particularly if he can bowl his full 10 overs while fit, is priceless. Ultimately, his sustained fitness levels will be decisive,” Raman was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express.
Raman also warned that Pandya’s recurring fitness concerns remain a significant factor. The former India coach noted that the all‑rounder was initially named in India’s squad for the ODI series against Afghanistan but withdrew due to injury.
“Even for this Afghanistan series, he was selected in the squad but was withdrawn at the last moment due to injuries,” he observed.
With India slated to play roughly 15 ODIs before the 2027 World Cup, Raman emphasized the need to seize every opportunity to craft the optimal squad and pinpoint the most effective combinations.
India have repeatedly reached the knockout stages of the past three ODI World Cups, yet have often faltered at decisive moments. Raman believes the team management should prioritize experimentation over the next 12‑15 months to avoid repeating past errors.
“Having reached the knockout stage eight times and winning only twice, the management must explore multiple options and adopt an experimental approach,” he said.
He further explained that bilateral series should be seen as opportunities to evaluate both first‑choice players and backup options ahead of the global event.
“The 12 to 15 months before the tournament are crucial. They must use all bilateral series to experiment with different combinations, helping players understand themselves and enabling management to assess core strength, depth, and possible options as the World Cup approaches,” he added.
India will enter the 2027 ODI World Cup aiming to end a lengthy wait for the trophy. The Men in Blue won the title in 1983 and 2011 but have since experienced heartbreak in several knockout matches, including runner‑up finishes in 2003 and 2023.