Fresh Injury Setback Casts Doubt on Hardik Pandya’s Return to International Cricket
NEW DELHI: The Indian team’s hopes for a full-strength lineup in the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan have been dealt a significant blow. Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who has been working his way back to fitness at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, has encountered a fresh injury setback that threatens his availability for the upcoming home fixtures.
A Familiar Roadblock
Pandya, who has been sidelined from competitive cricket since the IPL conclusion on May 24, was reportedly nearing a full recovery. Sources close to the developments indicate that the 32-year-old had been training at full intensity before a sudden leg niggle emerged, forcing medical staff to advise him to pause his bowling workload.
While the issue is not described as severe, it has caused enough concern for the BCCI medical team to exercise caution. “Hardik was operating at full intensity without any discomfort, but he has been advised to pause bowling due to discomfort in the leg,” a source revealed. “While there are no significant issues regarding his batting or mobility, the CoE needs to be completely convinced of his match fitness before clearing him for selection. With the series starting on September 13, time is running out.”
An Extended Absence
Pandya’s absence has been a persistent theme for the Men in Blue this year. His last international appearance remains the iconic T20 World Cup final on June 29—a match where his heroics helped secure the title for India. Since then, he has remained unavailable for selection, missing several white-ball assignments, including tours to Ireland and England, as well as home series.
This latest development mirrors his frustrating experience earlier this year, when a low-grade quadriceps sprain derailed his comeback plans just before an ODI series. The recurring nature of these minor injuries has prompted the BCCI to prioritize a long-term approach to his fitness rather than rushing him back for a singular series.
Selection Dilemma
The national selectors are scheduled to meet this week to finalize the squad for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. With reports indicating that the CoE is unlikely to provide a green signal in time, the selectors will likely look toward other options to fill the all-rounder void.
Meanwhile, the picture for other key players remains mixed. While Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar are progressing well in their respective recovery programs, ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s participation in the Afghanistan series remains uncertain. The team management, however, is hopeful that Bumrah will be fully fit for the upcoming Asian Games, which remain a primary focus for the BCCI’s transition plans.
As the selection meeting looms, the focus remains on ensuring that players are not just available for the immediate series, but are durable enough to withstand the rigors of an increasingly crowded international calendar.
