Big blow for India as Hardik Pandya’s long-awaited return to international cricket has suffered another setback. Reports indicate that a late leg niggle has disrupted his recovery plans and cast doubt over his availability for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. The issue emerged recently and has put his participation in the series in question, according to a report by the Times of India.
Hardik Pandya’s India comeback faces fresh delay amid leg niggle
According to a report by TOI, a source tracking the development stated:
"Hardik Pandya was operating at full intensity without any discomfort but he has been advised to pause bowling due to discomfort in the leg.”
The report further stated that Pandya will be resuming “soon”; however, his fitness level for the Afghanistan series might be “too close” to decide. It has also been said that the player faced no major issue in the batting or any kind of movement; however, “the CoE needs to be completely convinced before giving an all-clear.”
The T20Is are scheduled to begin on 13 September 2026 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, with further matches on 15 and 17 September. Pandya has been undergoing extended rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru after earlier setbacks, including a quadriceps strain and back spasms that ruled him out of previous white-ball assignments.
Selectors are expected to finalise the squad in the coming days, and the latest fitness concern adds uncertainty to the team’s plans. Further official updates from the BCCI are awaited. The series will be as crucial preparation for the Asian Games cricket event in Japan later that month.
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