Bad News for India! Hardik Pandya’s comeback delayed due to THIS new injury - Reports
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Hardik Pandya has been out of competitive cricket since IPL 2026.
Indian veteran all-rounder Hardik Pandya‘s return to international cricket has once again been pushed into uncertainty. The Indian all-rounder has been working towards regaining full fitness after a prolonged period spent at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Hardik’s importance in the India team is not only limited to T20 cricket, where he can contribute with both bat and ball, but he also has immense value in the longer 50-over format. His return has hence been closely monitored by the selectors.
At first, the veteran all-rounder appeared to be progressing very well as he had resumed batting and bowling at full tilt at the CoE. However, some latest developments have once again put his immediate return under a cloud, with some further assessment of his fitness awaited ahead of the Afghanistan T20Is.
Hardik Pandya’s leg niggle puts Afghanistan T20Is in doubt – Reports
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According to a report by The Times of India, Pandya has suffered a late leg niggle while training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, forcing him to temporarily stop bowling. This could be a major setback for India just before they start their busy international limited-overs schedule.
A Times of India report claimed: “Hardik Pandya was operating at full intensity without any discomfort, but he has been advised to pause bowling due to discomfort in the leg.”
The source further added that though Pandya might resume bowling soon as this injury is most likely to keep him out of the Afghanistan series. However, importantly, the setback has not affected Pandya’s batting a lot, but the CoE surely wants some bit of assurance on his fitness before giving him the green light.
Ahead of the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, which starts on 13th September, the Indian selectors are expected to meet this week to decide on the squad for the upcoming T20Is. They will receive the fitness update on players currently at the CoE by then. Pandya’s latest setback could therefore leave Indian fans waiting longer for his return.
The Indian all-rounder has not played competitive cricket since IPL 2026, while his last appearance for India came during the ICC T20 World Cup final on 8th of March. He has subsequently missed all of India’s white-ball assignments since then.
Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar are progressing well ahead of the Afghanistan series and are most likely to provide the Indian selectors with the required variety in the all-rounder department.
Will Hardik Pandya play the India vs Afghanistan T20Is?
Hardik Pandya’s return for the India vs Afghanistan T20I series is uncertain.
Will Hardik Pandya play in the Asian Games 2026?
Hardik Pandya is not part of the Indian contingent for the Asian Games.
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