Former India opener Aakash Chopra has said that Team India is “incomplete” without Hardik Pandya, highlighting the all-rounder’s huge importance as India begin their final preparations for the T20 World Cup with a five-match T20I series against New Zealand.
This series is India’s last T20I assignment before they start defending their T20 World Cup title.Speaking on JioHotstar’s Game Plan, Chopra called Hardik Pandya irreplaceable in the Indian team.“Team India is incomplete without Hardik Pandya. There is only one Hardik in the world. What he gives with both bat and ball, no other Indian player can,” Chopra said.He explained that team balance becomes difficult without Hardik.
When even Gautam Gambhir smiles like this, you know Hardik Pandya did something crazy#INDvsNZ | #HardikPandya pic.twitter.com/gUcDi9dWBa
— Vishal (@VishalMalvi_) January 21, 2026
“You may want a spinner like Varun Chakaravarthy or Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI, but then you also need a batter at number eight. You can’t play twelve players. Only Hardik gives you that balance,” he added.Chopra praised Hardik’s bowling ability, saying he can bowl with the new ball, at the death, and handle pressure situations.
“He even bowled the final over of the 2024 T20 World Cup which India won. Only Hardik can do such things,” he said.
Chopra also said the New Zealand series is very important for India to finalise their combinations, especially with injuries and form concerns.“This five-match T20I series is very important for Suryakumar Yadav and his team. New Zealand have come fully prepared. They rested players in the ODI series, but their main T20 World Cup squad is playing here,” he said.According to Chopra, the team management must use this series to decide the best balance.
“They need to decide whether to play two fast bowlers and three spinners, which batters to pick, and whether Rinku Singh gets a chance if Tilak Varma is fit, or if Shreyas Iyer continues. There are many questions before this series,” he noted.
Chopra also spoke about Abhishek Sharma, saying the young opener has developed a strong reputation in T20 cricket.
“In the last six to eight months, Abhishek Sharma has shown many sides of his game. Now teams fear him, similar to how they once feared Rohit Sharma in this format,” he said.
East or West #HardikPandya is Best 😍 🏏 #INDVSNZ pic.twitter.com/CZ0DHQyZM2
— Global Grins (@GlobalGrinss) January 21, 2026
On captain Suryakumar Yadav, Chopra suggested a small tactical change at the start of his innings.“He should remember that he is a 360-degree player. Early on, he should try to play straighter and along the ground,” Chopra advised.
With several selection decisions still to be made, the New Zealand series is expected to play a key role in shaping India’s T20 plans for the future.
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