What happened to Hardik Pandya? Latest on India all-rounder's return and why he's ruled out of Australia A, New Zealand series

What happened to Hardik Pandya? Latest on India all-rounder's return and why he's ruled out of Australia A, New Zealand series originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Hardik Pandya will miss India A's three fixtures against Australia A in Puducherry after fresh shin pain.

The same recurring issue previously ruled him out of both the Afghanistan ODIs and T20Is.

His availability for the T20Is against New Zealand next month is now considered highly doubtful.

Advertisement

Hardik Pandya's fitness remains in doubt

Hardik Pandya's path back to international cricket has hit another setback. This time just as he appeared to be closing in on a return. According to a TOI exclusive, the all-rounder will miss India A's three fixtures against Australia A in Puducherry starting October 6, after experiencing pain in his right shin again earlier this week.

The BCCI medical team monitoring his rehabilitation has advised further rest following a fresh round of scans. It is the same shin problem that has now derailed him on three separate occasions, having already ruled him out of selection for both the Afghanistan ODIs and the T20Is that followed against the same opposition.

What makes this particular flare-up especially frustrating for the team management is the timing. Pandya was reportedly being considered for a late entry into the Asian Games squad, but the injury resurfaced close to selection day, exactly as it had before both Afghanistan series.

Advertisement

MORE: Who won the gold medal in men's cricket at the 2023 Asian Games?

Why Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of India A vs Australia A series

The setback comes after months of steady progress at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, where Pandya had been building towards a full return to competitive cricket. This latest flare-up has reportedly undone much of that recent progress, pushing his timeline back once more.

With no physical activity advised for the next 10 to 15 days, the recurring nature of the injury is now the bigger concern rather than any single setback. A shin problem serious enough to resurface three times in quick succession suggests the underlying issue has not yet been fully resolved, regardless of how well isolated periods of training have gone.

Advertisement

Suryansh Shedge, currently training at the CoE, could be drafted in as Pandya's replacement for the three India A games, though there has been no official confirmation from the BCCI at this stage.

MORE: 'Next Andre Russell': Former RCB analyst introduces WI cricket's next Dre Russ

What this means for Hardik Pandya's New Zealand tour hopes

The recurring setback has made his participation in next month's five T20Is against New Zealand highly doubtful. Selectors are also expected to approach his availability for the ODIs that follow with considerable caution, rather than rushing him straight back into international cricket the moment he clears fitness protocols.

Advertisement

According to a PTI report, Pandya has also been ruled out of the New Zealand series. "Senior all-rounder Hardik Pandya has sustained a fresh injury to his right shin which is all set to rule him out of competitive cricket for at least three weeks including the white ball tour of New Zealand," PTI reported.

With the 2027 World Cup still the ultimate target, there is little appetite for risking a longer-term breakdown by forcing him back too early, even if it means his wait for a competitive return stretches further into the season.

Click here to read article