Hardik Pandya has also had a fitness setback just days before Indian selectors are expected to announce the squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. Pandya, who is coming back from a long injury-related absence, had been going to make his competitive comeback in the last couple of months and this injury in the past month is putting it in doubt.
According to Times of India, Pandya was playing fitness and was training at full intensity at the Board of Control for Cricket in India's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. But discomfort in his leg has led him to temporarily stop bowling. His availability for the Afghanistan T20Is will depend on how quickly he recovers and if the medical and fitness staff are satisfied with his condition.
The three-match T20I series against Afghanistan will begin on September 13. Pandya may not have enough time to get back to international cricket, especially when playing as an all-rounder who has to be able to bowl, bat and contribute in the field.
Pandya's last appearance on the cricket field was for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026 on May 24. He was subsequently included with the Indian ODI team for the three-match home series against Afghanistan but was sidelined due to a leg strain.
The latest issue has therefore been another setback in his efforts to take part in the Indian side again. Pandya had also missed India's white-ball tours to Ireland and England after his exit from the Afghanistan ODI series. In all, India played eight T20Is and three ODIs as well and Pandya was not able to do so because of his fitness problems.
According to the Times of India, Pandya was in no discomfort at all and bowling at first until it was recommended he stop bowling due to the current problem. His batting and movement were not very bad according to the source, but the Centre of Excellence would need to be truly satisfied with the condition of Pandya before allowing him to return.
The development is especially vital for India’s T20I plans since Pandya’s ability to play both bat and ball for the team and his batting ability has already given India an extra advantage in the team as well as the addition of a batsman that is able to play on the field of play is also very important. His medium pace bowling gives the selectors an extra batsman option to choose that would allow them to add some extra variety for their bowling attack.
But rushing the all-rounder back would carry some added risk because of his recent injury history. The medical team will therefore be prudent in their approach before giving clearance for international competition.
Pandya has already spent a long time away from the national team. His absence has forced India to try different combinations, particularly in limited overs cricket where a genuine pace-bowling all-rounder can significantly strengthen the playing XI.
The latest injury problem also comes as India's players' fitness management is also under the microscope. Several players have recently had fitness issues, including Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy and Nitish Reddy. The Centre of Excellence has also come under the microscope as the BCCI continues to deal with the workload and recovery of key players.
The Indian selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, will meet on September 3 to discuss the squad for the upcoming assignments. Pandya’s fitness will be assessed by the selectors in order to put him in the Afghanistan T20I team.
It has also been reported that the selection committee will most likely retain the players selected in the group to represent India at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan in late September. But Pandya’s case will largely depend on the medical evaluation of the selectors at the time of the meeting.
Pandya's immediate task will be to regain full fitness rather than return with that speed. While his batting and movement are not major concerns, his bowling workload will be the determining factor in whether he can go into the Afghanistan series.
If he is out, India will have to look for alternative combinations for the three-match T20I assignment. In his absence, the team would be at a disadvantage when the selectors were planning to use him as a pace-bowling all-rounder.
The next few days will be crucial for Pandya with the Afghanistan series starting on September 13. The final decision will be taken into account in the final decision-making process after further evaluation from medical and fitness staff, and after all the medical and fitness staff are going to be assessing his long-term fitness to make sure he is available for selection the selectors will take a long-term view and his international play is likely to be prioritized.
