‘I cannot ensure that Hardik Pandya will certainly play 2027 ODI World Cup’ – Mohammad Kaif’s huge statement on injured all-rounder

Hardik Pandya has had his struggles with injuries over the years. The Baroda all-rounder missed the ODI series against Afghanistan due to an injury, and he was subsequently ruled out of the upcoming 50-over matches against England, which will be held in July.

Mohammad Kaif said that Hardik hasn’t been the same since the injury he sustained in 2023. While the former India batter mentioned that no all-rounder in the current lot is close to Hardik, he couldn’t guarantee seeing him in the 2027 ODI World Cup due to his injury woes.

Kaif slammed the Indian team management for failing to be transparent about the Mumbai Indians captain’s injuries.

“I cannot take the guarantee of him. Even I do not understand his case. He is such a big match-winner. No one is close to him as an all-rounder in the current lot. He also knows this. But his body is fragile. He was injured in 2023 as well, and after that it has not been the same. There are no talks about his injury and any proper reasons given, though. I do not know what is being said or what the official reason is. You tell me if you know. We only know through sources,” he said on his YouTube channel.

“Fans also have the right to know exactly what has happened, and we need more transparency. This has been the case with Hardik throughout his career. There are always questions about his injury as to what has happened exactly and why he is missing out,” he added.

Mohammad Kaif backs Yashasvi Jaiswal to be an all-format player

Yashasvi Jaiswal failed to secure his spot in India’s 50-over squad for the series against England, despite scoring a century in the last ODI against Afghanistan. While Kaif opined that picking Ishan Kishan over Jaiswal was the right move, he backed the latter to be an all-format player down the line.

“Jaiswal will play. He will be an all-format player. His time will come too. Agarkar had said they can select only 15 players, and I agree with him. We have a lot of solid players, and a few people will always miss out like this. They had to pick either Jaiswal or Ishan Kishan. Kishan got the nod because he can bat in the middle as well. Jaiswal is a proper opener. And Kishan can be a backup wicket-keeper as well. Also, Gambhir wants Kishan to be there. That liking is there too. I said this the last time as well. His form is good too, so I agree with the call. Jaiswal will have to wait a bit,” Kaif stated.