'I think Hardik Pandya is very important to India's balance…': Sourav Ganguly

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The ODI World Cup 2027 is set to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. The mega tournament is set to begin from October 2 next year.

Team India will begin the campaign with a clash against Australia on October 7 at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town.

Ahead of the marquee tournament, former cricketer Sourav Ganguly explained the importance of having Hardik Pandya in the Indian team. He also feels that if Pandya sustains an injury before the global event, Team India’s management will then likely look at Nitish Kumar Reddy to find the balance.

“I think Hardik Pandya is very important to India’s balance in the World Cup. That’s one of Gambhir’s and the team’s biggest challenges, to get him fit on the park. I don’t think he plays enough cricket, but for India, the balance has got to be right. If Hardik is injured, the next best option is Nitish Reddy. But if they have to look at Nitish Reddy as a second option to Hardik Pandya, then he must play all cricket till the World Cup,” he said on JioStar.

The former cricketer also feels that Team India would need a seam all-rounder in South Africa, following which Pandya’s presence is important.

“Jadeja is another option, whether they will look at him, because he is a terrific batter at number seven and is playing against the West Indies currently. But I think in October in South Africa, you will need a seaming all-rounder because none of the top five batters bowl. So you will have to get that fifth or sixth bowling option from somewhere. So that’s an area where India needs to find the right person. And that’s why I keep saying Pandya is very important,” added Ganguly.

Earlier, a grand ceremony in Johannesburg unveiled the 12 venues that will host next year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, with eight venues in South Africa, three in Zimbabwe and one in Namibia’s capital Windhoek selected as tournament locations.

ODI World Cup 2027: Venues for the mega event

South Africa will host games at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, SuperSport Park in Centurion, Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town, Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Durban, St George’s Park in Gqeberha, Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein, Boland Park in Paarl and Buffalo Park in KuGompo City (formerly East London), according to the ICC website.

Zimbabwe will stage matches at Harare Sports Club in Harare, Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo and Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls, while Namibia’s capital Windhoek will host games at the Namibia Cricket Ground.

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