Former India batter Wasim Jaffer opined on India’s performance despite their clinical seven-wicket win in the T20I series opener against Afghanistan at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, on Sunday, September 13. He also stated that the Indian team have struggled with their fifth bowling option in white-ball cricket in star all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s absence as well. India used all-rounders Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Shivam Dube with the ball along with their four main bowlers.

Speaking about the bowling woes, Jaffer said in his YouTube video: “The one thing that is a matter of concern is the fifth bowler. Nitish Reddy and Shivam Dube were expensive. It is going to be a concern when Hardik Pandya is not playing. When Hardik is not there, there is a problem. They tried Abhishek Sharma as well, who I think is a good option. But India will have to keep an eye on the fifth or sixth bowlers as we prepare for the World Cup.”

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He also stated that Hardik Pandya must stay fit on the road to the 2027 World Cup. He has been out of action since the
end of the 2026 IPL due to a quadriceps injury and a subsequent leg strain as well.

“Keeping the ODI World Cup in mind, Hardik is a big factor, and his presence is very important. He could be the third or fourth seamer in the World Cup in South Africa. In that sense, it is very important for Hardik to be fit because we still don’t have a like-for-like replacement for him. Hardik Pandya is a notch above the replacements that we have, whether it is Shivam Dube or Nitish Kumar Reddy; no one is at the level of Hardik Pandya right now,” he concluded.