Injury problems build up as India eye 2027 ODI World Cup preparations
India’s squad has suffered a run of physical setbacks that threaten their preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup, with several players currently dealing with injuries and fitness interruptions. The latest additions to the casualty list underline a pattern of recurring problems that have affected multiple members of the setup.
Among the recent cases, Nitish Kumar Reddy injured himself during the ODI series against Afghanistan last month. Hardik Pandya has yet to feature in an ODI for India since the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand in March 2025. Harshit Rana has experienced two injury setbacks in the last six months, while Washington Sundar has recorded a couple of breakdowns in the same period. Varun Chakravarthy suffered a hairline fracture before a Grade 2 hamstring injury ruled him out of action.
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s problem was confirmed after the ODI series against Afghanistan last month, removing him from contention for immediate selection. The timeline for his return has not been publicly revised beyond that report. That absence follows an accumulation of fitness issues elsewhere in the squad.
Hardik Pandya’s absence from the ODI side remains notable: he has yet to feature in an ODI for India since the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand in March 2025. That single datum stands out amid the more recent fitness interruptions affecting other players. The lack of ODI appearances since that final is the explicit benchmark for his current unavailability in the format.
Two players have struggled with multiple interruptions over the preceding six-month window. Harshit Rana has suffered two injury setbacks in the last six months, and Washington Sundar has endured a couple of breakdowns in the same period. Those repeated issues have limited their participation and availability during this run of fixtures.
Varun Chakravarthy’s situation unfolded in two stages: he first suffered a hairline fracture and was subsequently sidelined by a Grade 2 hamstring injury that ruled him out of action. The sequence — hairline fracture followed by the hamstring problem — has kept him away from competitive duty as described in the reports.
The compilation of these injuries and fitness interruptions has left India managing multiple absences simultaneously as they build toward the 2027 ODI World Cup. The list of affected players highlights the breadth of the issue across formats and roles within the squad.
