Team India all-rounder Hardik Pandya will reportedly miss the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, despite recent claims suggesting that he had passed his fitness test. The star player had suffered back spasms during the second half of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 campaign, and has now been hit with a leg sprain as well.
According to a report by the Times of India, Hardik Pandya was recovering well from his injury and was on course to link up with the ODI squad ahead of the series opener in Dharamshala. However, the late setback in the form of a new injury, is likely to sideline him for two more weeks.
“There has been a very late setback. He sustained a low-grade, mild leg sprain causing some tenderness. It’s nothing long-term, but medical staff advised him to avoid any strain or weight-bearing for the next few days. Hardik will continue to stay in Bengaluru, consulting with CoE physios and trainers during his recovery phase,” a BCCI official told the Times of India.
Hardik Pandya has not featured in an ODI since the Champions Trophy Final in March 2025. He missed the tour of Australia due to injury, and was rested for the home ODIs against South Africa and New Zealand as part of workload management, and keeping the crucial T20 World Cup 2026 in mind.
The majority of the Indian ODI squad are expected to assemble in Mohali on Wednesday, June 10, to commence preparation for the series. There will be an optional practice session, before the squad departs for Dharamshala on Thursday.
Hardik Pandya is not a part of the Team India squad for Ireland and England 2026 T20Is
Hardik Pandya was not named in any of the squads for Team India’s upcoming T20I assignments against Ireland and England, or the Asian Games 2026. The all-rounder has been reserved for the ODI format for the time being, as outlined by the selection committee.
“Like Bumrah, if we can get him (Hardik)playing well and keep him fit for one-day cricket – I don’t think he’s played one-day cricket for a while – that is, at this point, the main objective,” chief selector Ajit Agarkar had said during the squad announcement press conference.
“We can always bring him back. It also gives us an opportunity to give someone like Nitish Reddy a few opportunities with T20 cricket. So, there will be a little bit of rest and rotation with regards to T20 (in Pandya’s case),” he added.
The selectors have yet to name the squad for the three-match away ODI series against England, which begins on July 14.
Edited by Gokul Nair