India head coach Gautam Gambhir has backed Hardik Pandya's return to India's white-ball set-up but said that the all-rounder needs more competitive cricket before making his international comeback. Gambhir also spoke highly of Nitish Kumar Reddy's development as a key ingredient in India's preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

India completed a 3-0 T20I series sweep against Afghanistan with an emphatic 249-run victory in New Delhi. But after the victory against the visitors, Gambhir spoke up about India's preparations for the future while explaining why Hardik needs more game time before making his international return and why Nitish's ODI opportunity will be good for him overall.

“Sometimes we could even go to play both of them in the playing 11. But again, Hardik at the moment can't bowl 10 overs, and he hasn't played a lot of cricket since the IPL. We don't want to push him into international cricket because international cricket can be very taxing on your body as well. So if he plays those India A series, obviously he'll get some game time as well,” Gambhir said at the post-match press conference.

Gautam Gambhir wants Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy to play together

Hardik has been called up in the India A squad for the three-match one-day series against Australia A in Puducherry from October 6 to 11, subject to his fitness test result. He was not selected in the ODI squad for the West Indies as the team management examines his workload and readiness for 50-over cricket.

With the 2027 ODI World Cup set to happen in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, the team is looking to the future and balancing its needs. Gambhir believes seam-bowling all-rounders who can contribute with both bat and ball would likely play an important role in the team's campaign.

Nitish's withdrawal from the Asian Games squad created an opportunity for him to feature in the India ODI series against the West Indies. Gambhir believes the call-up is a great chance for the young all-rounder to advance his bowling development.

“From Nitish's point of view, it's actually a great thing that he's been withdrawn from the T20 format, and he'll get game time against the West Indies as well,” said Gambhir.

“We know how important a seam-bowling all-rounder will probably be in a year and when we go to South Africa. And once Hardik comes back, obviously it's going to be good,” he added.

India's current ODI squad for the West Indies series has Nitish, while Hardik is working his way back to international cricket through the India A setup. The two players could offer the team more options as seam-bowling all-rounders as they prepare for the 2027 World Cup.

Hardik has been out of international cricket since the 2026 T20 World Cup and has had a series of injury setbacks. He has also been out of 50-over cricket since the 2025 Champions Trophy, making his return an important part of India's preparations for the 2027 World Cup.

Gambhir said Hardik's path to the national team would depend on his performance in the India A series, his fitness and his readiness to play matches.

“That was the clear message to him that if he can play that India A series, and then if everything goes well, he can come back and be part of the T20S and the one-day squad as well,” said Gambhir.

India's head coach's words suggest that Hardik Pandya's comeback will be measured in competitive cricket, rather than being rushed into international matches.

India has big decisions ahead of it for the 2027 ODI World Cup

India's preparations for the 2027 World Cup will be looking to address the balance of the ODI squad and choose players who can contribute in different ways.

Hardik Pandya's fitness and Nitish's development could offer the team management options in the seam-bowling all-rounder department. Their progress in the months to come will help inform India's thinking as the tournament approaches.