Team India star all-rounder Hardik Pandya will not rush his return to competitive cricket after another injury setback. According to RevSportz, the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru is taking a cautious approach to his rehabilitation, with the all-rounder expected to return only after achieving full fitness.
Pandya was last seen in action for the Mumbai Indians (MI) during IPL 2026. The 33-year-old was named in India A’s squad for the one-day series against Australia A but could not recover in time. His absence has also raised concerns about India’s team balance ahead of major white-ball assignments.
Hardik Pandya Wants to Be 110 Per Cent Fit Before Returning
Hardik Pandya has been at the CoE since June and suffered a tibial bone stress injury on the inner side of his right shin in September, just as he was close to receiving fitness clearance.
According to RevSportz, the team management considers Pandya a high-management player and is prepared to give him as much time as necessary to regain full fitness. India will need him at his best for the 2027 ODI World Cup, making a cautious recovery the priority.
“He cannot return this time till he is 110 per cent fit,” a source in the know told RevSportz. “He should be completely fit in two months.”
IPL 2027 Could Be Hardik Pandya’s Next Comeback Opportunity
Hardik Pandya has not played an ODI since the Champions Trophy final on March 9, 2025. His last international appearance came in the T20 World Cup final on March 8, 2026.
His latest injury has ruled him out of India’s tour of New Zealand and could also keep him out of the subsequent white-ball series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy are expected to conclude before Pandya regains the match fitness needed to compete. His recovery timeline makes a return through either domestic tournament unlikely.
India are scheduled to play a five-Test series against Australia from January 21 to March 3, 2027. However, the red-ball assignments are unlikely to offer Pandya a comeback opportunity, given his role as a white-ball specialist.
The IPL 2027 season, expected to begin in March, could therefore be his next chance to return to competitive cricket, although no comeback date has been confirmed.
India Grooming Pace-Bowling All-Rounders Amid Hardik Pandya’s Absence
Hardik Pandya’s prolonged absence has created concerns over India’s team balance, particularly the need for a reliable pace-bowling all-rounder. The selectors have responded by giving younger alternatives opportunities.
Nitish Kumar Reddy has benefited from the situation and was recently named in all three of India’s squads for the New Zealand tour. The seam-bowling all-rounder is being considered as an option to provide balance to the playing XI while Pandya remains unavailable.
India are also fast-tracking 23-year-old Suryansh Shedge, who made his international debut in Ireland earlier this year. Shedge strengthened his case with a four-wicket haul and a half-century in the List A series against Australia A.
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