The star all-rounder of the India National Cricket Team, Hardik Pandya, has suffered a fresh setback ahead of the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, starting on September 13.
Pandya was perfectly training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and was making excellent progress in his recovery. However, a late leg problem has now raised fresh concerns about his fitness and put his much-awaited return to action in doubt once again
Hardik Pandya likely to miss Afghanistan T20I series
As reported by Times of India, Hardik Pandya is highly likely to miss the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan because of the late leg problem.
The Indian selectors are expected to meet this week to pick the T20I squad for the Afghanistan series. They will also get updates on the fitness of players currently recovering at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru to pick the best possible squad for the T20I series.
Sources tracking the development at the BCCI Centre of Excellence revealed that Hardik was bowling at full intensity without major problems, but leg discomfort has forced him to stop bowling for now. He is expected to return soon, but the Afghanistan series is too close for him to reach full fitness.
A source was quoted as saying by Times of India: “Hardik Pandya was operating at full intensity without any discomfort, but he has been advised to pause bowling due to discomfort in the leg. He will resume soon, but the Afghanistan series is too close to reach the required fitness levels. Batting and movement-wise, there wasn't any significant issue, but the CoE needs to be completely convinced before giving an all-clear.”
Meanwhile, the 32-year-old has been out of action since his last appearance for Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2026 on May 24. His last match for India came on March 8 in the 2026 T20 World Cup final.
Since then, Pandya has missed India’s home white-ball series against Afghanistan and the tours of Ireland, England and Zimbabwe. Now, the star all-rounder’s much-awaited return has been delayed again because of the latest fitness concern.
However, there is good news for India, as Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar are making good progress and are expected to be available for the upcoming Afghanistan series.
However, Jasprit Bumrah’s availability remains uncertain. The star fast bowler is still in the race to play the Afghanistan games, but his main target is the upcoming Asian Games 2026 in Japan.
Bumrah missed the recently concluded two-match Test series in Sri Lanka after failing to recover from a knee injury, which he sustained during the ODI series in England in July.
Well, Hardik Pandya was recently spotted with his stunning Ferrari 12Cilindri after his practice session at the BCCI CoE. Known for his love for his lavish lifestyle, luxury cars, watches and stylish clothes, the star Indian all-rounder looked in his usual cool style.
However, it was his sweet moment with the car that caught everyone’s attention. After finishing his practice, Pandya was seen admiring his Ferrari and clicking its pictures. The Ferrari 12Cilindri is a high-end supercar, and reports claim that its price in India is around ₹12 crore.
