Hardik Pandya. Image Credits: AFP
Hardik Pandya’s fitness has been a huge concern for the Indian team management ahead of the three-match ODI series between India and Afghanistan. This series will be played after the one-off Test between the two sides that begins on June 6 and will be played at the New Chandigarh.
The ODI series will see India and Afghanistan clashing in three ODIs on June 13 in Dharamshala, June 17 in Lucknow, and June 20 in Chennai. This ODI series will begin India’s road to the ICC ODI World Cup 2027, which will be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia in October-November next year.
Hardik Pandya’s back issues
Hardik Pandya captained Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2026 tournament. However, the five-time IPL champions had a torrid time in the 19th edition of the IPL. MI finished 9th on the points table with only 8 points from 4 wins in 14 games. They only managed to avoid the 10th place finish with a better net run rate than Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Hardik Pandya also didn’t have a very good time in the field as well. Pandya made just over 200 runs and picked 4 wickets. He failed to make a single fifty in the tournament. In addition to this, Hardik Pandya also missed 4 games for the Mumbai Indians as he suffered from back-related issues.
Notably, Hardik Pandya had undergone back surgery in 2018 after suffering a stress fracture that year. Since then, Hardik Pandya has cut down on his workload, completely walking away from Test cricket and only playing ODIs when there is an ICC event approaching. He is a consistent presence in T20I cricket, including the IPL.
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Hardik Pandya was summoned for a fitness test at the COE
Hardik Pandya, along with Rohit Sharma, was named in the India squad for the three-ODI series against Afghanistan that begins on June 13. However, their selection was subject to fitness, as apart from Pandya’s back issues, Rohit Sharma had suffered a hamstring injury that made him miss more than 6 games for MI.
Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma were called to the CoE for the fitness test, and it has been reported that only Hardik Pandya has reported for his fitness checkup. He will be considered for selection in the playing XIs only if his fitness is cleared by the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
Hardik Pandya nears full fitness ahead of Afghanistan ODIs
A report in Cricbuzz has suggested that Hardik Pandya is close to regaining full fitness in time for the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, which begins in Dharamshala on June 13.
After the IPL, Pandya flew straight from Paris to Bengaluru to report to the BCCI's Centre of Excellence after taking a brief vacation in France. The all-rounder is anticipated to be fit for selection for the Afghanistan series after undergoing rehabilitation.
Pandya missed four IPL games due to a back issue. It is anticipated that he will stay at the Bengaluru facility until June 10. He is expected to go to Dharamshala on June 11 to connect with the ODI side if the NCA staff gives him the all-clear.
According to sources, Pandya is making every effort to become match-fit for the ODIs, a format he hasn't participated in in over 15 months.
India’s road to the ICC World Cup 2027 begins with Afghanistan ODIs
The Men in Blue will begin their road to the ICC World Cup 2027 with the Afghanistan ODI series. India will also travel to England for three ODIs and five T20Is after that and, in all, will play 45 ODI matches before the ICC World Cup in 2027.
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