Major update on Hardik Pandya’s comeback date for India
(Courtesy : Getty Images)
Hardik Pandya has not played an international game since T20 World Cup 2026
The star Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya last played competitive cricket in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 with Mumbai Indians (MI). MI finished ninth on the points table, and the all-rounder also missed a few games in the season due to his back spasms.
He had an underwhelming IPL 2026 season, where he scored 206 runs and claimed just four wickets in the ten matches that he played. As a captain too, he struggled to get the team through.
Hardik Pandya has been out of action from international cricket after the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 ended. He was a key player for India in that tournament. He scored 217 runs batting in the lower order, and chipped in with 9 wickets throughout the campaign.
He has been crucial to India’s white-ball plans ever since he debuted back in 2016. The balance that he provides in the team is second to none. Here is some update regarding his injury recovery and comeback.
Hardik Pandya to be available for white-ball games from August
Hardik Pandya has been struggling with his back injuries and hamstring issues for a long time now. Being a fast bowler and an explosive batsman, takes a toll on his body. He has spent a large part of his career recovering from major injuries. During the IPL 2026 as well, Pandya missed four matches because of discomfort in the lower back.
He missed the ODIs against Afghanistan, but was expected to play the T20Is against Ireland and England. However, things got worse for him as he rules out of the entire UK tour.
There have been reports which have affirmed that Hardik has also rented a house near the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. This move has been made to ensure proper training, recovery and skill development. The all-rounder aims to optimise the resources available at the CoE.
After missing the Afghanistan series, and the UK white-ball tour, reports from PTI have suggested that Hardik Pandya will be available for the ODIs and T20Is from August.
According to some reports, Hardik was unable to bowl 10 overs with proper intensity, and he aimed to work on that aspect of his game, so as to stage a return to the ODI side.
With the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 coming up in nearly 14-15 months, India have started their preparations in full swing. They have been preparing a young pace-brigade with Gurnoor Brar, Prince Yadav, Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna.
India are also preparing Nitish Reddy as Hardik Pandya’s backup for the World Cup. However, Reddy himself has been struck with injuries for the past one month.
The Men in Blue will most likely not be playing any white-ball games in August. The next ODI series is scheduled to begin on September 27. Moreover, the Asian Games will be played in the second half of September.
There is adequate time for Pandya to regain his complete fitness before the West Indies ODI series. He last played an ODI in the Champions Trophy 2025 Final.
Will Hardik Pandya play the ODI series against West Indies?
There are reports suggesting his availability for the ODIs and T20Is from August.
When did Hardik Pandya last play an ODI game?
Hardik Pandya last played an ODI game in March 2025, the Champions Trophy Final.
For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.
Cricket runs in the blood of Indians — and that’s something she truly believes in. A law student with a lifelong connection to the game, she has followed cricket passionately since his school days. Like countless young fans, she first experienced the sport on the field before deepening his understanding through constant watching, reading, and conversations around the game. Writing became a natural extension of that passion, bringing a “Pavilion Perspective” to his work — capturing how fans experience matches through their own lens.