Hardik Pandya’s prolonged absence from competitive cricket has once again brought the spotlight on player workload, match fitness and injury management in Indian cricket. The India all-rounder has not played competitive cricket since the conclusion of IPL 2026, and his much-anticipated return has now been delayed further. Pandya was initially expected to make his comeback with India A during the ongoing ODI series against Australia A, which began on October 6.
However, that return did not materialise, and the all-rounder has subsequently been ruled out of India’s upcoming white-ball tour of New Zealand. Amid the uncertainty surrounding Pandya’s availability, former India captain Kapil Dev has stressed the importance of regular competitive cricket. According to the 1983 World Cup-winning captain, playing consistently can help an athlete’s body adjust to the physical demands of the sport and potentially reduce the risk of injuries.
“Play more cricket,” Kapil Dev told The Times of India when asked what Pandya needs to do to remain available more consistently.Explaining his views on match fitness, Kapil said that players who spend more time on the field allow their bodies to remain accustomed to the intensity of competitive cricket. “I don’t know. You play more, your body gets tuned to that. But if you play less and suddenly you play more, chances of injury increase. If your muscles are fine, your injuries are less,” he added.
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Kapil’s comments come at a time when India are dealing with fitness concerns involving several players. Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna has been ruled out for at least three weeks and is likely to miss the upcoming five-match ODI series against New Zealand. India’s tour of New Zealand is scheduled to begin with a five-match T20I series on October 22. Pacer Harshit Rana is another player facing a fitness setback and is unlikely to be considered for the tour.
Rana had earlier missed the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan and the 2026 Asian Games because of injury. Although he had been undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, he developed low-grade pain in his left quadriceps during a match simulation, further delaying his return.
Pandya, meanwhile, has remained away from competitive cricket since IPL 2026, while Rana last represented India during the white-ball series against England in July.
The increasing number of fitness issues has also renewed the debate around the demanding cricket calendar faced by modern-day international players. Kapil compared the current era with his playing days, highlighting how frequently cricketers once featured in domestic competitions.
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“Sandeep Patil put it very nicely. ‘In our time we used to play Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, club cricket, other cricket too.’ In 365 days, if you can play 250 days, you’re in the game,” Kapil Dev said.
His comments underline the importance of regular match exposure. For India, Pandya’s extended absence and the fitness concerns surrounding other players highlight the continuing challenge of balancing workload, recovery and consistent game time.
