Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir has stressed the importance of Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah achieving full fitness, finding their rhythm and getting sufficient match practice ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
In an interview, Gambhir said Pandya and Bumrah would play pivotal roles for India in the World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in South Africa. Gambhir described Pandya’s all-round ability as a special asset, noting that he can bat at No. 6 or 7 while also bowling his full quota of 10 overs, allowing him to make a significant impact on a match.
He pointed out that Pandya has not played much cricket since the IPL and could therefore lack match practice when he returns to ODI cricket. Gambhir said it would be beneficial for Pandya to play some T20 cricket before making the transition to the ODI format.
Gambhir emphasised that entering a World Cup without being fully prepared would not be ideal. He said players need sufficient game time and must be in good rhythm before the tournament. On Bumrah, Gambhir said Test cricket is equally important for the fast bowler alongside ODI cricket. He added that the team management would have to find the right balance between Bumrah’s workload and match time.
Gambhir further said there is very little margin for error in major tournaments such as the World Cup, making careful match preparation and workload management essential for both Pandya and Bumrah.