India have suffered another setback ahead of their white-ball tour of the United Kingdom, Fast-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out because of a quadriceps injury.

 

And, this is happening at a tricky moment for India, because Hardik Pandya is also unavailable due to injury and workload management, so the squad is feeling it. With two key all-rounders missing, India’s lack of depth in that exact role is once again becoming a big talking point, you know how it goes.

 

As the side looks ahead to future tournaments, even the 2027 ODI World Cup, the selectors might need to cast an eye on other players, the ones who can contribute both bat and ball, not just one side.

 

5 Players who can replace Hardik and Nitish

 

Shardul Thakur

 

Shardul Thakur is definitely one of the experienced fast bowling all-rounders at India’s disposal. The Mumbai-based player has been able to chip in with some crucial performances in situations of pressure.

 

During IPL 2026, Shardul was able to prove himself as a reliable player with bat and ball. Shardul regularly managed to pick up wickets and also contributed with some runs as a lower-order batsman.

 

As far as ODIs go, Shardul has featured in 47 games and has managed to scalp 65 wickets. That ability to split partnerships and provide some quick runs could be valuable for Indian team whenever there is a requirement for balance in the playing eleven.

 

Even if he hasn’t been selected for an ODI match for India after 2023, experience of Shardul might come handy if selectors give him another opportunity.

 

Shivam Dube

 

Shivam Dube is now a common figure for India in the T20Is; however, the Indian ODI team has not progressed much in that regard. The left-handed batter is noted for his hard-hitting and can swing the balance of the game in short spells.

 

Moreover, he is capable of bowling in the medium pace and helps India in that way whenever needed.

 

Until now, Dube has made four appearances for India in ODIs. While during the aforementioned matches, he has not created much impression, he continues to grow into a proper all-rounder.

 

With his continued growth, his ability to go hard against the spin bowlers and take games ahead in such conditions might become handy for India in their upcoming bilateral series of ODIs.

 

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Suryansh Shedge

 

Young Mumbai all-rounder Suryansh Shedge has been turning heads with his recent performances. In the Tri-Series in Sri Lanka, he contributed valuable runs, and he also kept things tight with the ball.

 

His numbers might not jump out instantly, but what stood out was how he handled different match situations with maturity.

 

He also looked impressive in IPL 2026 for Punjab Kings. He played several useful innings, and he scored at an unusually high strike rate, which is exactly the kind of skill teams like to see.

 

At 23 years old, he still has a lot of time to sharpen his game. If he can keep performing consistently, he could become a serious option for India’s ODI plans.

 

Madhav Tiwari

 

One more player who has attracted selectors and fan following is Madhav Tiwari. He performed well in the IPL 2026 and proved his worth in various aspects of the game, and not with just one talent.

 

He’s also produced strong displays in the MP T20 League across the last two seasons. Tiwari can bowl with the new ball, and he can manage death-over responsibilities too. With the bat, he has shown a knack for quick scoring when the situation demands it.

 

Even so, he hasn’t represented India at any level yet, but his skill set fits the demands of modern-day cricket pretty well.

 

Shashank Singh

 

Shashank Singh has built a solid reputation as a dependable finisher in the IPL. The way he can score runs under pressure has made him a key figure for his franchise.

 

The 34-year-old has been delivering consistently meaningful performances, and he has shown that he can handle difficult moments without losing his nerve.

 

While he hasn’t played international cricket yet, his experience and calm approach could make him a useful option for India, especially during bilateral series.

 

His all-round qualities, plus his finishing ability, makes him someone worth watching over the coming years.

 

India need long-term solutions

 

The injuries to Hardik Pandya, and Nitish Kumar Reddy, have underlined India’s need for more pace-bowling all-rounders. Hardik might stay the first-choice option when he’s fit, but India can’t rely on a single player forever.

 

Building a deeper group of all-rounders will matter a lot, especially as the team prepares for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

 

Players like Shardul Thakur, Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Madhav Tiwari, and Shashank Singh could all get chances to prove themselves.

 

And honestly, the next few bilateral series could be a big factor, because that’s where India might identify the right backup options for the future, and not too late.