3 alternatives India can consider if Hardik Pandya misses Sri Lanka ODIs ft. Rinku Singh

India are set to play three ODIs against Sri Lanka in the first week of August. It is also the first assignment for the Men in Blue's new head coach Gautam Gambhir. However, according to reports from the Indian Express, the visitors could have their senior players rested for the ODI series.

With the Champions Trophy to be played in February-March of next year, Gambhir has reportedly urged seniors like Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Virat Kohli to play the Sri Lanka ODIs. As per the report, all-rounder Hardik Pandya has informed the BCCI that he wouldn't be available for the ODI series, citing personal reasons.

On that note, let's take a look at the three options the Men in Blue can look at in the ODI series against Sri Lanka if Hardik Pandya is unavailable:

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#3 Shivam Dube

Shivam Dube has played just one ODI for India. It was against the West Indies in Chennai way back in 2019. However, his career has seen somewhat of a turnaround since he joined the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2022. Impressive performances in his past two IPL seasons helped him break into the T20 World Cup 2024 squad.

While Dube had a mediocre tournament, he scored a crucial 27 in the summit clash against South Africa which would boost his confidence. He also played in the T20Is against Zimbabwe, suggesting that India are perhaps looking at him to play more regularly in their white-ball setup.

Dube could fit in that No.6 role in Hardik Pandya's absence and it will be interesting to see how he performs.

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#2 Washington Sundar

Another player who will be high on confidence is all-rounder Washington Sundar. He is fresh off an impressive performance in the T20I series against Zimbabwe, picking up eight wickets in five games and also winning the Player of the Series award.

Sundar has shown his pedigree with the bat in the toughest of conditions in Tests and there is no reason why he won't be able to replicate that in the ODIs if given consistent opportunities. Sundar has taken 18 wickets in 19 ODIs at an economy rate of just 4.91. He has also scored 265 runs, showing glimpses of how handy he can be down the order.

The conditions in Sri Lanka could also suit spin-bowling all-rounders like Sundar, with Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja likely to be picked as well.

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#1 Rinku Singh

Quite a few eyebrows were raised when despite staggering numbers in T20Is, Rinku Singh was not picked in India's T20 World Cup squad. However, he was picked in the ODI series against South Africa earlier this year, indicating that the Men in Blue are perhaps looking at him in the 50-over format as well.

Rinku has played two matches, scoring 55 runs at an impressive strike rate of 134.14. His profile perfectly fits that of a No. 6 batter and perhaps that's why he is the most accurate replacement for Hardik Pandya at this point.

The southpaw also has an outstanding record in List A cricket - 1,899 runs in 57 matches at an average of almost 49. A successful ODi series for him could go a long way for the Indian team to get an ideal backup for Hardik.