India's head coach explained the all-rounder's omission from the West Indies tour and his rehabilitation status.
By Adreej Kumar Mitra2 Min Read
Hardik Pandya sustained a quadriceps injury following the conclusion of IPL 2026 and is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The all-rounder was omitted from India's squad for the West Indies tour, which begins on September 27, 2026. His absence marks a significant gap in India's middle-order batting and bowling depth as the team prepares for the upcoming series.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir addressed Pandya's injury status after India's series victory over Afghanistan this week. The coach outlined the reasons behind the decision to leave Pandya out of the squad and provided clarity on his recovery timeline.
Gambhir mentioned that Hardik is not in a position to bowl 10 overs in a day at the moment. However, the two-time IPL-winning captain said that once Hardik is fully fit, there is a possibility that both he and Nitish Kumar Reddy will be playing together in the ODI side.
"Hardik Pandya cannot bowl 10 overs at the moment. We don't want to rush him into international cricket. When he is fit, there is a possibility of both he and Nitish playing," Gambhir said at the post-match press conference after the third T20I versus Afghanistan.
Why Hardik was omitted from the West Indies squad
Pandya has been operating at full intensity without discomfort during his rehabilitation, but medical staff at the Centre of Excellence have advised him to pause bowling due to discomfort in the leg. While batting and movement have not presented significant issues, the coaching and medical team requires complete clearance before giving him the all-clear to return to competitive cricket.
Timeline for his return to international cricket
Pandya has been included in the India A squad for the one-day series against Australia A in Puducherry, though he remains pending final fitness clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence. His actual return is expected to occur sometime in late September or October, provided he receives an uninterrupted training block without setbacks.
Nitish Kumar Reddy has stepped into the all-rounder role in Pandya's absence. In the third T20I against Afghanistan in New Delhi, Reddy took three wickets for 25 runs across his four-over spell, demonstrating his capability to contribute with both bat and ball. Pandya's last international appearance came during the 2026 T20 World Cup final against New Zealand in March, while his most recent competitive outing was for Mumbai Indians on May 24 during IPL 2026.
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