Hardik Pandya has become one of the most important players in India’s white-ball team. But finding a Hardik Pandya replacement is one of the most difficult tasks the Indian cricket team is facing. Team India has already seen how quickly that balance can disappear if he is not around.
During the 2023 ODI World Cup, Pandya suffered an ankle injury while bowling against Bangladesh. The injury ruled him out for the rest of the tournament. With another major World Cup coming up, India cannot depend on only one fast bowling all-rounder.
South African conditions could make this role even more important. The pace and bounce can help seam bowlers. A player who can bat and bowl pace could give India an extra advantage.
So, who can become India’s Hardik Pandya replacement if another injury keeps him out?
5 Hardik Pandya Backup Options India Can Consider
India has several players who can bat and bowl pace. However, five names stand out as possible options because they can cover some of the roles that Pandya performs.
Nitish Kumar Reddy
If India wants the most natural Hardik Pandya backup, Nitish Kumar Reddy could be the best option.
The 23-year-old has already played international cricket. He is a right-handed middle-order batter and a right-arm fast-medium bowler. This gives India the combination they want from a pace bowling all-rounder.
NOTE: The stats in this article are as of September 2026.
His T20 numbers also look good. Nitish has scored 1,039 runs in 55 T20 matches at a strike rate of 140.78. He has also taken 22 wickets.
In T20Is, he has scored 90 runs in four matches at a strike rate of 180. He has also taken three wickets.
His IPL record is another positive. He has scored 787 runs in 42 matches at a strike rate of 145.47. He has also taken 13 wickets.
At this stage, it is difficult to find a better like-for-like option for Pandya. Nitish looks like the most obvious player for India to develop.
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Shivam Dube
Shivam Dube is already an experienced international player. That makes him an important name among Hardik Pandya replacement options.
The left-hander offers a different kind of batting threat. His height and power help him attack spin in the middle overs. He can also bowl medium pace when the team needs him.
Dube has scored 4,354 runs in 225 T20 matches at a strike rate of 146.40. He has also taken 85 wickets.
In T20Is, he has scored 1,127 runs in 74 matches at a strike rate of 152.09. He has also taken 38 wickets.
His IPL record is also strong. He has scored 2,129 runs at a strike rate of 145.42.
The main question is his bowling. Batting is clearly his stronger skill. However, as an emergency India fast bowling all-rounder, Dube remains a useful option.
Venkatesh Iyer
Venkatesh Iyer could also give India an interesting option.
He has a lot of T20 experience. He can attack the ball and bat in the top or middle order. He can also bowl medium pace.
Iyer’s left-handed batting could also help India add variety to their middle order.
He has scored 3,458 runs in 152 T20 matches at a strike rate of 141.25. He has also taken 55 wickets.
In T20Is, Iyer has scored 133 runs in nine matches and taken five wickets.
The recent domestic numbers of Venkatesh Iyer also show that he can still make an impact. He scored 211 runs in the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and 276 runs in the 2026 Madhya Pradesh T20 League.
Could Iyer return as a serious Hardik Pandya backup? His experience and left-handed batting give him a strong case.
Suryansh Shedge
Suryansh Shedge could be the most exciting long-term option on this list.
He does not have the international experience of Dube or Iyer. However, his performances in domestic cricket and the IPL have made him an interesting Indian pace bowling all-rounder to watch.
Shedge is a right-handed batter and a right-arm medium-fast bowler.
He has scored 364 runs in 33 domestic T20 matches at a strike rate of 173.33. He has also taken 13 wickets.
His IPL numbers are also promising. He has scored 165 runs in 12 matches at a strike rate of 163.37.
However, he has bowled only a few overs in the IPL so far. His bowling is still developing.
That is why India should continue to monitor him.
If Shedge can become a reliable two-to-four-over bowler while keeping his attacking batting, he could become a very good Hardik Pandya injury replacement in the future.
Ramandeep Singh
Ramandeep Singh is another player who fits the needs of a modern T20 team.
He is a powerful lower-order batter, a good fielder and a medium-pace bowling option. His batting strike rate is especially impressive for a player who can bat lower down the order.
Ramandeep Singh has scored 1,012 runs in 99 T20 matches at a strike rate of 166.17. He has also taken 34 wickets.
His IPL bowling numbers are also useful for a part-time bowler. He has taken seven wickets in 13 matches at an economy rate of 10.12.
His international experience is still limited. He has scored 15 runs and taken one wicket in two T20Is.
The main question is whether India would trust him to bowl regularly.
But if India wants a T20 all-rounder who can bat at No. 6 or 7, field well, and bowl some pace, Ramandeep deserves a chance.
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What About Ayush Badoni and Arshin Kulkarni?
Ayush Badoni and Arshin Kulkarni could also be considered as Hardik Pandya backup options, but both have some limitations.
Arshin mainly plays as a top-order batter, so his role is different from Pandya’s middle-order role. Badoni is also mainly a batter and does not yet offer reliable bowling for several overs.
India can also consider spin-bowling all-rounders like Riyan Parag, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar. However, in South Africa, a pace bowling all-rounder could give India better balance and more options.
India does not need another Hardik Pandya. They need someone who can keep the team’s balance when Pandya is unavailable. Nitish Kumar Reddy looks like the strongest option because he can bat, bowl pace and has international experience. Dube and Iyer offer experience, while Ramandeep brings power. Suryansh Shedge could become a strong future option.
If India want to avoid another 2023 World Cup situation, they should develop these Hardik Pandya replacement options now.
The best backup is not the player India finds after Pandya gets injured. It is the player who is already ready before the injury happens.
What do you think? Who can be a Hardik Pandya backup/replacement? Comment your opinion below.
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