'A fragile sticker should be put on': Aakash Chopra aims dig at India all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy"
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'A fragile sticker should be put on': Aakash Chopra aims dig at India all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy" originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Aakash Chopra said a "fragile sticker" should be put on seam-bowling all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
- Both have been ruled out of action frequently, with Nitish missing the Ireland and England tour through injury.
- Chopra warned India lack enticing seam-bowling all-rounder options for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Aakash Chopra aims dig at India all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy
Aakash Chopra has taken a pointed dig at India's seam-bowling all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy, suggesting both need to be handled with extreme care given their persistent fitness issues.
The former India batter made the remarks in a video on his YouTube channel after Nitish was ruled out of the upcoming tour.
Nitish will miss India's T20I series against Ireland and England due to a left quadriceps injury, with Suryansh Shedge named in the 16-member squad as his replacement.
The setback prompted Chopra to highlight the recurring availability problems that have plagued India's pace-bowling all-rounders in recent times.
The fitness of the duo carries significant weight given India's planning towards the 2027 ODI World Cup. Chopra pointed out that the team does not have too many enticing seam-bowling all-rounder options beyond the injured pair, making their repeated absences a genuine concern.
MORE: India squad for England tour 2026: Full T20I and ODI team lists
Aakash Chopra's 'fragile sticker' dig at Hardik and NKR
Chopra used a memorable image to underline how carefully India must manage their medium-pace all-rounders, extending the warning beyond Nitish alone to include the equally injury-prone Pandya.
"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," Chopra said on his YouTube.
Concerns over the 2027 ODI World Cup
The former opener expressed unease about India's options in this specific role heading into the next ODI World Cup cycle, noting that quality seam-bowling all-rounders are difficult to source.
"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 observed.
MORE: Has Ireland ever beaten India in T20Is?
Backing for Suryansh Shedge
Chopra also weighed in on Nitish's replacement, expressing approval at the selection of Suryansh Shedge while noting the Mumbai all-rounder's strong domestic and India A returns made him a sensible choice for seam-friendly conditions.
"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," Chopra added.
The comments reflect a wider worry about India's all-rounder depth ahead of a crucial period. With Pandya's return uncertain and Nitish sidelined again, the onus falls on emerging names like Shedge to prove they can fill a role India have long struggled to stabilise.
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