BCCI and Hardik Pandya - (Source: AFP)
On Wednesday, India dealt a heavy blow as Hardik Pandya got ruled out of the upcoming Afghanistan ODIs due to a fresh injury. The star all-rounder was nursing a back injury at the CoE when he picked up a leg injury.
Notably, the development comes days after Pandya was reported to be fit for Afghanistan ODIs. The latest update is that the 32-year-old has suffered a low-grade quadriceps strain.
Hardik Pandya Out Of Action For 3 Weeks
The injury usually takes around three weeks to recover from, and the India-Afghanistan ODIs start on June 13. Hence, there is no chance that Pandya will be able to take part in that series.
It is a big headache for the Indian team as they have to name a replacement in less than 72 hours. Therefore, this article will shed light on three potential replacements for Hardik Pandya vs Afghanistan.
Possible Hardik Pandya Replacements for IND vs AFG ODIs
1. Axar Patel
When the squad was announced for Afghanistan ODIs, it had neither Axar Patel nor Ravindra Jadeja. The selectors clarified that the 2027 ODI World Cup is the ultimate goal, and the spin all-round duo were rested to manage their workload.
However, it seems that Axar Patel might have to cancel his vacation and join the Indian team as Hardik Pandya's replacement in crisis. Axar’s last ODI was in October 2025 when India toured Australia. Hence, the upcoming series will be a great way for the left-arm spinner to return to form, as he recently had a pathetic IPL.
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Talking about IPL 2026, Axar Patel amassed just 173 runs in 11 innings, while he picked up 11 wickets in 13 innings.
2. Ayush Badoni
It is likely that the selectors might actually not go for a like-for-like replacement. The Men in Blue already have Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar. Therefore, the selectors might look to add more batting prowess to the team.
Ayush Badoni is currently part of the India A set-up and is on a tour to Sri Lanka with the team. For the unversed, Badoni is in the selectors’ minds as Hardik Pandya's replacement because the 26-year-old earned his maiden call-up in January for India vs New Zealand ODIs.
Badoni was roped in as Washington Sundar’s replacement, and a similar approach can be made here against Afghanistan.
3. Shardul Thakur
Talking about like-for-like option as Hardik Pandya's replacement, Shardul Thakur is one apt option for the Men in Blue. The right-arm seam all-rounder last played an ODI for India against Bangladesh in the 2023 ODI World Cup, the same match where Hardik Pandya got injured and was ruled out of the entire tournament.
Thakur has been in India’s Test plans as he was there in England, but ODIs is a format where the selectors have turned a blind eye to the Mumbai-based bowler. However, there is crunch of quality of seam bowling all-rounders, which is why the selectors might be forced to go back to Shardul Thakur.
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