Former India opener Aakash Chopra has raised fresh concerns over the fitness of India's seam-bowling all-rounders, taking a pointed swipe at Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy following the latter's latest injury setback.
Nitish has been ruled out of India's upcoming T20I assignments against Ireland and England after sustaining a left quadriceps injury. The all-rounder's absence has once again highlighted India's struggle to keep its pace-bowling all-rounders fit, an issue that could have long-term implications for the team's plans heading toward the 2027 ODI World Cup.
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Aakash Chopra questions fitness reliability of India's all-rounders
Speaking on his YouTube channel after Nitish's injury was confirmed, Chopra expressed concern over the recurring fitness troubles faced by India's medium-pace all-rounders.
The former cricketer suggested that the issue extends beyond Nitish alone and includes senior star Pandya, who has also battled multiple injuries throughout his career.
"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."
The remark quickly drew attention as Chopra highlighted a growing problem for Indian cricket. While both Hardik and Nitish offer valuable balance with their ability to contribute in multiple departments, their frequent injury concerns have often limited their availability.
Reddy's injury leaves India with limited options
Nitish's latest setback comes at an unfortunate time, as he was expected to play a key role in India's white-ball plans moving forward. Following his withdrawal, Suryansh Shedge has been drafted into the 16-member squad as a replacement.
The injury has also renewed discussions around India's lack of depth in the seam-bowling all-rounder department. Players capable of contributing significantly with both bat and ball remain a rare commodity, making the absence of established names even more significant.
With the 2027 ODI World Cup still a major target for the Indian team, managing the workload and fitness of players like Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy could prove crucial. Chopra's comments may have been delivered with a touch of humor, but they also underscored a genuine concern surrounding one of India's most important player categories.