Another roadblock for Hardik Pandya, all-rounder ruled out for at least 3-4 weeks

India National Cricket Team all-rounder Hardik Pandya has suffered another setback in his much-awaited return to the game. Hardik Pandya has developed discomfort in his right calf and has now been ruled out for at least three to four weeks after scans showed a stress-related injury in his right shin.

The medical team has not yet structured the Indian all-rounder’s rehabilitation program at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru following the latest setback. Earlier, Michael Clarke questioned Hardik Pandya’s fitness.

Hardik Pandya suffers fresh injury scare

As reported by a Jagran News reporter, Abhishek Tripathi, Hardik Pandya had made good progress in his recovery and had completed his bowling, batting, and fielding workloads without any problems. The Indian all-rounder also successfully finished a match simulation on September 17.

However, during another simulation on September 19, Hardik felt pain in his right calf. His match simulation was immediately stopped as a precaution. An MRI later showed very mild intramedullary edema, which is linked to right medial tibial stress syndrome.

The BCCI medical team has confirmed that Hardik has a symptomatic right tibial bone stress response. But the good news is that there is no structural damage and no established stress fracture.

Hardik Pandya to undergo 6-8 weeks of treatment

Pandya has reportedly been advised to undergo bisphosphonate therapy and vitamin D supplementation for six to eight weeks. His rehabilitation will start with low-load exercises before slowly moving towards running, cricket-specific drills, and full match activities.

Following the latest setback, Hardik will miss the India A vs. Australia A 50-over series starting October 6 in Puducherry. He was initially selected for the series to test his bowling workload.

Now, the star all-rounder is likely to miss India’s upcoming tour of New Zealand beginning October 22 because of the mandatory rest and recovery time.

Notably, Hardik has not played competitive cricket since the IPL 2026, and this fresh injury has once again delayed his return to the Indian team. Amid this, Harshit Rana suffers fresh setback! Viral illness delays return after quadriceps injury.

Sourav Ganguly names Hardik Pandya as key to India’s World Cup balance

Meanwhile, Sourav Ganguly believes that Pandya will be extremely important for India because of the balance he brings as a seam-bowling all-rounder. He feels keeping Hardik fit will be one of India’s key challenges ahead of the ICC ODI World Cup 2027.

Ganguly also pointed to Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ravindra Jadeja as possible options. He feels Reddy should get regular chances if India sees him as Hardik’s backup, while Jadeja can add batting strength at No. 7.

“I think Hardik Pandya is very important to India’s balance in the World Cup. That’s one of Gambhir’s and the team’s biggest challenges, to get him fit in the park. I don’t think he plays enough cricket, but for India, the balance has got to be right. If Hardik is injured, the next best option is Nitish Reddy. Jadeja is another option.

But I think in October in South Africa, you will need a seaming all-rounder because none of the top five batters bowl. So, you will have to get that fifth or sixth bowling option from somewhere. So that’s an area where India needs to find the right person. And that’s why I keep saying Pandya is very important.”

Source: cricketaddictor.com