Hardik Pandya’s return to competitive cricket has suffered another setback after scans revealed a fresh injury to his right shin, ruling the India all-rounder out of action for at least three weeks.
Pandya had been expected to return to competitive cricket around September 20 and was subsequently named in the India A squad for the three-match ODI series against Australia A, beginning October 6. However, the latest injury has put those plans on hold.
Hardik Pandya advised complete rest
A BCCI source tracking developments at the Centre of Excellence told PTI that Pandya’s latest scans showed the right-shin injury and that he had been advised two weeks of complete rest.
BCCI medical panel head Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala has seen the reports and is expected to assess Pandya after his return from Japan before deciding when he can begin rehabilitation, according to the source.
Pandya had earlier experienced pain around his knee while participating in fielding drills ahead of India’s T20I series against Afghanistan. The pain resurfaced when he was preparing to obtain a fitness certificate, leading to further scans.
New Zealand series now out of reach
The latest setback means Pandya is expected to miss India’s upcoming white-ball tour of New Zealand.
The New Zealand T20I series is scheduled to begin on October 22, followed by an ODI series. With Pandya now expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks, a comeback during that tour is unlikely, according to the PTI report.
Pandya was also left out of India’s squads for the upcoming West Indies white-ball series, with selectors previously seeking proof that he could handle the workload required of a 10-over bowling spell and full-fielding duties in ODI cricket.
Another setback in Pandya’s comeback
The latest injury adds to a difficult period for Pandya, who has faced multiple fitness setbacks while attempting to return to regular competitive cricket.
The 32-year-old has been based at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru since the IPL and has been working on his rehabilitation and fitness.
According to the latest PTI report, he has suffered fresh fitness issues on at least three occasions over the past four months, affecting his proposed returns for the Afghanistan ODIs, England T20Is and now the Australia A assignment.
When could Hardik Pandya return?
With the New Zealand series effectively ruled out, Pandya’s next potential opportunities could come during India’s subsequent white-ball assignments.
The PTI report points to the Zimbabwe ODI series as one possible international return, provided he is fit. He could also use domestic competitions such as the Vijay Hazare Trophy or Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy to regain match fitness.
For now, the immediate priority is rest and rehabilitation before another fitness assessment determines the next stage of his comeback.
