India’s search for reliable seam-bowling all-rounders has once again become a major talking point following another injury setback to Nitish Kumar Reddy. The youngster’s absence from the upcoming white-ball assignments has reignited discussions around the availability of India’s fast-bowling all-rounders, a position that remains one of the most difficult to fill in modern cricket. Former India batter Aakash Chopra has now entered the debate, sharing his thoughts on the fitness challenges surrounding two of India’s most important all-rounders and what it could mean for the team’s long-term planning.

Aakash Chopra raises concerns over Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra expressed frustration over the recurring injury issues affecting India’s medium-pace all-rounders. Reddy was recently ruled out of the T20I series against Ireland and England after suffering a left quadriceps injury, while Hardik Pandya has also spent considerable time on the sidelines in recent years. Using a memorable analogy, Chopra suggested that India’s seam-bowling all-rounders need to be handled with extreme caution.

“Nitish Kumar Reddy has gotten injured once again. A fragile sticker should be put on him. Why put it on him alone? You should put it on everyone. Put it on Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy. Put a fragile sticker on all medium-pace all-rounders. Handle with care. Hardik Pandya hasn’t been available for such a long time. He is still not available. Don’t know when he will be available. Nitish Kumar Reddy is available sporadically. I think he has a quadriceps injury because of which he is out of the Ireland and England tour, and we are starting to think what would happen in 2027. You don’t have too many options left because it’s a very rare commodity,” Chopra said.

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Chopra backs Suryansh Shedge after India call-up

Chopra also discussed India’s decision to name Suryansh Shedge as Reddy’s replacement for the upcoming T20I assignments. The Mumbai all-rounder has impressed across domestic cricket, the IPL, and India A fixtures in recent months. The former cricketer also spare a thought for Punjab Kings (PBKS) all-rounder Shashank Singh, suggesting the door may have opened for him had his recent form been stronger.

“Suryansh Shedge has been selected. He also comes from Mumbai. He performed well for Mumbai and then did well for the Punjab Kings. Now he was part of the India A team, and if you see his numbers there, he has been good. A good utility cricketer. He should get opportunities because the conditions will be like that. I can’t help but think about what would have happened had Shashank Singh had a good season. He bowled decently for Punjab, and although he is a good fielder, he kept dropping catches one after the other, and he didn’t bat as well as he did in the previous two years. When a spot opened up, your form dipped a little, someone else had form, he took that place, and you were left rubbing your hands,” Chopra concluded.

With Nitish sidelined and Pandya’s availability continuing to be monitored, India’s all-rounder depth remains under scrutiny as preparations gradually build towards the 2027 ODI World Cup.

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