Major update on Hardik Pandya’s availability for IND vs AFG ODI series
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Hardik Pandya’s fitness came under scanner after his injury in IPL 2026.
The Indian Cricket Team is set to clash with Afghanistan Cricket Team in a three-match ODI series, starting June 13. The matches will be played in Dharamshala, Lucknow and Chennai. This series is scheduled after the one-off Test between the two teams.
Shubman Gill will lead the side, with Shreyas Iyer being his deputy. Harsh Dubey, Gurnoor Brar and the IPL pace-sensation Prince Yadav received their maiden ODI call-ups. Few notable names like Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja missed out due to workload management and injury concerns.
The squad for the same was announced on May 19. As mentioned during the announcement of the squad, the availability of Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma was subject to their fitness.
Hardik Pandya declared fit ahead of IND vs AFG ODIs
The pace-bowling all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, had featured in the recently concluded IPL 2026. He played 10 matches for Mumbai Indians in this season scoring 206 runs and picking 4 wickets, missing four games due to his injury.
Pandya was battling back spasms and was set to report to BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) for his fitness regime. He was named in the 15-member squad for the Afghanistan ODIs, however his availability was subject to fitness.
According to reports from Dainik Jagran, Hardik has been declared fit for the ODI series against Afghanistan by the BCCI CoE, and is likely to feature in the series.
Pandya has been a crucial all-rounder for India with his wicket-taking ability in the different phases of the game. He can always provide the cushion of an extra pacer in the side. Moreover, his batting lower down the order as a finisher comes handy in the 50 over format. His explosive striking coupled with the responsible batting is vital for the line-up.
Two ODI veterans of India, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, are yet to be declared fit for the ODI series. Rohit is set to report to the BCCI CoE on June 8. Meanwhile, Virat sustained a hamstring injury during the business end of the IPL 2026, and reports have claimed that he will miss the series.
Will Hardik Pandya play the ODI series against Afghanistan?
Yes, Hardik Pandya has been declared fit for the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan.
When will the ODIs against Afghanistan begin from?
India play Afghanistan in the 50-over format from June 13.
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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.