Hardik Pandya for India (Source: AFP Photos)In a significant development, India are all set to drop Hardik Pandya from the T20I setup. Cricinfo reported that the BCCI is already conveyed it to India’s ace all-rounder, and told him to focus on ODIs only, keeping World Cup 2027 in mind.Plagued with long-standing injuries, Hardik has already been ruled out of India vs West Indies ODIs. He did not play a single match since IPL 2026.Even during IPL 2026, Hardik could only play 10 matches due to the same reason. He was picked for India vs Afghanistan ODIs in June, only to suffer a leg injury to be unavailable once again.Hardik Pandya’s Injury Woes Force BCCI To Make Major MoveAs injuries have hit Hardik Pandya more often than not of late, the BCCI had no choice but to make him an one-format player rather than a white-ball specialist.He had to give up a place among India’s regulars in Tests for the same reason. And now, it seemed to give him a major setback, as the T20 World Cup will follow in the next year after World Cup 2027."It is understood that the selectors are keen for Hardik to focus on the 50-overs format for now - and not T20Is - with the 2027 World Cup a priority," an Cricinfo report read.Also Read: Hardik Pandya's IPL Record As Captain Vs Player For Mumbai Indians"Hardik is due to undergo a fitness test next week and is expected to be cleared, but the selectors may still be reluctant to rush him back given how important he is to India's balance in the 50-overs format," it added.Hardik To Be Back For Australia A SeriesHowever, Hardik is thought to be making his comeback when India A and Australia A will face each other in Puducherry from October 6 onwards. The BCCI already added him in India A squad, although his participation is subject to fitness.Furthermore, the Cricinfo revealed that ‘Hardik is due to undergo a fitness test next week and is expected to be cleared’. Thus, his participation, in all likelihood, in India A vs Australia A 50-over matches is all but confirmed.Who Is India's Hardik Pandya Replacement In T20Is?With Hardik missing out on India’s T20I matches of late, including the ongoing India vs Afghanistan series, the BCCI has been trying multiple players to fill his void.Fast-bowling all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shivam Dube both played in the IND vs AFG 1st T20I. They are included in the second T20I as well, although any of them has managed to come up with significant contributions thus far.Neverthless, it is obvious that India won’t have a proper Hardik Pandya replacement as of now, given how crucial he has been for them in previous ICC competitions, including T20 World Cup winning campaigns, in 2024 and in 2026.Also Read: Nigar Sultana To Leave Bangladesh Captaincy Amid Handshake Controversy
