Hardik Pandya [Source: AFP]Hardik Pandya’s wait to play ODI cricket has been extended after a fresh quadricep strain forced him out of the upcoming three-match series against Afghanistan. The all-rounder was training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru for a return to the 50-over format. As per a report from TOI, hours before his scheduled departure to join the squad in Dharamsala on June 11, he felt discomfort in his quadriceps. Detailed scans revealed a sprain that requires at least two weeks of recovery. Hence, Hardik Pandya will remain in Bengaluru for rehabilitation and is now eyeing the England ODIs in July for his comeback. Late Setback of Hardik at the CoE Pandya had recently overcome a back injury from IPL 2026 and received fitness clearance from the CoE, raising hopes of his ODI return. He had spent a week at the high-performance centre doing intense training and match-simulation drills. Hours before flying out, Hardik Pandya experienced quadricep discomfort and immediately alerted the medical team. Scans at a nearby facility were shared with the medical team, who diagnosed a quadricep sprain with a minimum two-week recovery timeline, effectively ruling him out of the Afghanistan ODI series. The team management was informed promptly, and a decision on a replacement is expected soon. Also Read- When Was The Last Time Hardik Pandya Played An ODI For India Before Afghanistan 2026?Pandya’s England ODI Return Prospects In July Pandya will continue to stay at the CoE in Bengaluru and follow the rehabilitation programme set by the medical staff. Light jogging and running could resume around the weekend, with a gradual return to full-intensity nets in the following week. He will need to sustain that intensity for at least a week before receiving the final clearance. Given this timeline, he is likely to be fully fit around the time India’s ODI specialists leave for England. The team’s next 50-over series begins on July 14, and selectors are expected to discuss including Pandya “subject to fitness clearance” when they pick the squad in the coming week.How Hardik Pandya’s Injury Affects India? The original squad for the Afghanistan ODIs already has Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar as all-round options, so a direct like-for-like replacement may not be essential. Axar Patel, who was rested alongside Ravindra Jadeja to manage workload, could be asked to cut short his vacation. He last played an ODI in October 2025 and had a modest IPL 2026 with 173 runs and 11 wickets. Ayush Badoni, currently with India A in Sri Lanka, is another name on the selectors’ radar after earning a maiden ODI call-up earlier this year. Seam-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur, whose last ODI was the 2023 World Cup match where Pandya got injured, also remains an option. England Selection and Kohli’s Fitness in Focus The selection meeting for the England tour will address more than Pandya’s availability. Virat Kohli, ruled out of the Afghanistan series, will also be discussed, as reported by the TOI.The medical team is expected to provide a detailed update on his recovery timelines. Both players could be crucial to India’s plans for the 2027 World Cup cycle. Hardik Pandya’s choice to train at the CoE instead of his usual Mumbai base hints a data-driven preparation. The facility offers advanced video analysis, expert monitoring and quality net sessions, which could become a permanent feature of his fitness regime. Also Read- India Women's Schedule For T20 World Cup 2026- Squad, Match List, Players List, Date, Time, Venues
