A medium-pace all-rounder is someone every team hopes to have in their arsenal across the formats. Over the last decade, Hardik Pandya has been that person for India in white-ball cricket. Whenever he is fit, the Baroda all-rounder is one of the first names in the starting XI. However, the 32-year-old’s frequent injuries have meant the team has often struggled to find the right combination.

In the 2023 World Cup, Hardik’s injury unsettled the line-up, and the lack of a similar replacement forced India into an awkward compromise with a long tail starting at No. 8.

Ahead of the next year’s ODI World Cup, even as the selectors are keen on Hardik focusing on the 50-over format, there is a pressing need to find a cover for him. Since the back end of 2025, Nitish Kumar has been trialled in Hardik’s absence in ODIs and could become a key cog in the Men in Blue’s preparation.

The Andhra all-rounder has, in recent times, worked with high-performance bowling coach Steffan Jones and increased his pace. In the first one-dayer against Afghanistan here on Saturday, Nitish delivered a fine spell of two for 31, including the key wicket of centurion Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who he castled with a perfect inswinging yorker.

Speaking after the match, the 23-year-old revealed he is ready for the challenge. “As an all-rounder, I have to do both jobs for my team; that’s when the team is going to be in a great position, so I just have to show up when the captain gives me the ball or when the team needs some runs. I have to show intent on the field,” said Nitish, who claimed his maiden wicket in the ODIs on Saturday.

On the specific areas he has worked on, Nitish said: “I figured out that I am a front-on bowler and worked on the stride lengths, wanting to go much quicker on run-up. That’s working for me, and it’s coming good now.”

While all-rounders bring a lot of value, Nitish felt the Impact Player in the IPL doesn’t help them bowl regularly. “For all-rounders, it is a little bit difficult because we always expect we [will] get four overs and, even if we get smashed in the first one or two overs, you can come back and give your best. That’s where the players’ mindset is determined. It used to be like that, but now if you bowl one or two overs badly, and maybe that’s the end of the tournament for you. I believe bowlers should get four overs, and all-rounders should bowl four overs to get that experience,” said Nitish.

Considering the conditions in South Africa, India will hope Nitish can rise to the task of not just being a cover for Hardik but also be ready to complement him.