Hardik Pandya’s return to competitive cricket has suffered another setback after the India all-rounder sustained a fresh injury to his right shin. According to a PTI report, the 32-year-old is expected to remain sidelined for at least three weeks, ruling him out of India’s upcoming white-ball tour of New Zealand. India are scheduled to begin their T20I series against New Zealand on October 22.
Pandya’s latest setback also puts his participation in the India A ODI series against Australia A in doubt. The selectors had picked him for the series, which is scheduled to begin on October 6, after his initial “Return To Play” date was set for September 20.
A BCCI source told PTI that scans had revealed the injury and that Pandya had been advised to take complete rest before beginning his rehabilitation. “This is very unfortunate, but Hardik’s latest scan reports have revealed an injury to his right shin. He has been advised complete rest for a period of two weeks,” the source said.
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The BCCI medical panel head, Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, has reviewed Pandya’s reports and is expected to assess him before determining when he can resume rehabilitation.
The injury has also forced Pandya to abandon plans to travel to Japan for the ongoing Asian Games. According to PTI, the BCCI operations team had already taken his passport for visa-related formalities as the board planned for him to travel with the Indian contingent.
🚨BREAKING UPDATE 🚨
– Hardik Pandya has been ruled out from the Upcoming India A v/s Aus A One Day Series due to his Shin Injury 🤔🤔
[Cricbuzz]BCCI SHOULD SERIOUSLY LOOK UPTO HARDIK PANDYA AS HE IS AN IMPORTANT ASSET FOR INDIA IN 2027 WORLD CUP👀👀 pic.twitter.com/IYKLxw9Fhl
— The Cricket Khabri (@TheCricKhabri) September 26, 2026
Pandya’s latest problem reportedly emerged shortly before the Afghanistan T20I series. He experienced sharp pain around his knee while taking part in fielding drills and subsequently opted to rest. The pain initially appeared to settle, but it resurfaced when Pandya was preparing to undergo his fitness assessment. Further scans then revealed the right-shin injury, delaying his return once again.
Pandya has been training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru since the end of the IPL. His rehabilitation programme had been progressing towards a return to competitive cricket, but the latest injury means the all-rounder will now have to spend additional time on recovery.
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For India, Pandya’s absence could have a significant impact on their white-ball plans, given his role as a pace-bowling all-rounder. The team management will now monitor his recovery closely before determining his next assignment. With the New Zealand T20I series beginning on October 22, Pandya’s immediate priority will be completing his recovery and regaining full fitness before returning to international cricket.
