Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly believes T20I star batter Tilak Varma could bat at No.6 for Team India if veteran all-rounder Hardik Pandya is injured for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Hardik has struggled with fitness and has dealt with
many injuries since the 2026 IPL season. He has not played for India since helping them win the 2026 T20 World Cup in March.

Ganguly said on Star Sports, “Nitish Kumar Reddy can be a straight swap, but I am not sure if he’s a new-ball bowler. Axar has to be at No.8, followed by the three pacers. So if you don’t have Hardik, then you play a genuine batter at No.6. Maybe Tilak Varma is an option, being a left-hander. He played well in South Africa in the T20Is a year and a half ago.”

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“So if Hardik is injured, they have to play a pure batter at No.6 and a seam-bowling all-rounder at No.7, maybe Nitish as the second option to Hardik. Jadeja is a terrific batter at No.7, but he hasn’t played much lately in ODIs. Also, in South Africa, you’ll need a seaming all-rounder. None of the batters in the top five bowl, so you’ll have to get that fifth or sixth bowling option from somewhere. That’s why Hardik is very important,” he again shared.

Sourav Ganguly named Hardik Pandya arguably India’s most important player in the 2027 ODI World Cup. He also believes the lack of cricket has resulted in him constantly dealing with injuries. Ganguly also said pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are key to India’s chances in the mega event.

“Hardik Pandya is very important to India’s balance in the World Cup. That’ll be Gambhir’s biggest challenge: to get him fit on the park. I don’t think Hardik plays enough cricket. That’s why he keeps getting injured. Apart from Hardik, Bumrah and Siraj are the most important. These three will be the key because the batting looks after itself,” concluded Sourav Ganguly.