Hardik Pandya’s comeback plans have hit another setback after the India all-rounder was diagnosed with a new right shin injury. The latest development has ruled him out of India’s upcoming white-ball tour of New Zealand and further delayed his return to international cricket. Pandya had been targeting a return later in September and was also included in the India A squad for the upcoming One-Day series against Australia A. However, his latest scans have revealed another injury, leaving his immediate comeback plans on hold.
Hardik Pandya suffers fresh right-shin injury
Pandya had been working towards a return after a long absence from competitive cricket. The selectors had included him in the India A squad for the One-Day series against Australia A, which was scheduled to begin on October 6. Earlier, the BCCI had also planned for Pandya to travel to Japan with the Indian contingent for the Asian Games, with his passport reportedly submitted for visa formalities. However, his latest injury has now changed those plans.
According to a BCCI source cited by PTI, Pandya’s latest scans revealed an injury to his right shin. He has been advised complete rest for two weeks, while his condition will be assessed further before he begins his rehabilitation. BCCI medical panel head Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala is expected to assess Pandya after his return from Japan and decide when the all-rounder can begin his rehabilitation. With India’s T20I series against New Zealand beginning on October 22, Pandya will not be available for the white-ball tour.
“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 BCCI source told PTI.
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Pandya’s comeback plans delayed again
Pandya had initially felt a sudden shooting pain around his knee during fielding drills shortly before the Afghanistan T20I series. He was given rest at the time, but the pain returned before his fitness clearance and subsequent scans detected the injury. The all-rounder has been based in Bengaluru since the IPL and has continued his training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
His latest setback comes after a series of interruptions to his comeback plans over the past few months. If he recovers fully, the Zimbabwe ODI series could provide another opportunity for Pandya to return to international cricket. He could also use domestic competitions such as the Vijay Hazare Trophy or Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy to regain match fitness before making his comeback for India.
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