The Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya has developed a new injury and is set to be ruled out of the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to confirm the extent of his injury during his rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) due to back spasms.
It is confirmed that Hardik Pandya suffered a leg strain this week. It is understood that BCCI is set to announce a replacement soon. The Men in Blues are set to host Afghanistan in a three-match ODI series starting the second week of June.
India squad has been hit with back to back Injury woes, with Virat Kohli ruled out of the series due to injury, and Yashasvi Jaiswal was named as his replacement.
Both Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma were included in the ODI squad by the selectors and were required to get fitness clearance for their respective injuries.
The duo are expected to join the Indian squad in Chandigarh after the one-off test against Afghanistan, where India secured a massive win.
Hardik Pandya featured in 10 out of 14 games in the recently concluded IPL 2026 due to back spasms. He returned to the team’s final game of the season, played on May 24.
Hardik Pandya, who suffered a left ankle injury during the 2023 ODI World Cup campaign, is considered a part of India’s plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
“He is a part of the one-day squad right now for the Afghanistan series. Like Jasprit Bumrah, if we can get him playing well and keep him fit for one-day cricket – he hasn’t played much ODI cricket for a while – that is the main objective,” said Ajit Agarkar during the squad announcement.
“We can always bring him back. So there will be a little bit of rest and rotation about T20 cricket in Pandya’s case.”
The ODI series are schedule for June 13, 17 and 20 to be played across Dharamsala, Lucknow and Chennai.
