India, June 19 -- India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has offered a strong endorsement of Nitish Kumar Reddy's long-term value to the Indian ODI side, calling the youngster the "natural successor or backup" to Hardik Pandya as the team continues to assess its all-rounder pool ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

Speaking in a BCCI video, ten Doeschate said India's all-rounder depth was progressing well, but also underlined why Hardik remains such a rare commodity in white-ball cricket.

"It's really good. I would still say the majority of those guys are bowling all-rounders. And when Hardik is fit, he obviously brings a different element because he's such a strong batter, such a strong finisher. A sort of role scarcity - it is difficult to ...