Hardik Pandya hasn't played for India since the 2026 T20 World Cup final.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan expressed frustration over Hardik Pandya’s recurring fitness issues, specifically pointing out a worrying pattern of getting injured during rehabilitation rather than match play.
Pathan’s comments came after Pandya was ruled out of India A’s upcoming three one-day matches against Australia in Puducherry, which followed a series of fitness setbacks that kept him sidelined from national duties since March 2026.
Pathan emphasized that Pandya missing important series makes it incredibly difficult for the team management and national selectors to plan for the 2027 ODI World Cup in Africa.
"It is unfortunate for any player that Hardik is getting injured without playing. You play, get injured, and then get injured again during rehab. He is ruled out of the India A series as well and this will not give the management and selectors confidence. It is one thing to get injured if you keep playing and your workload increases," Pathan said on Star Sports during the first ODI between India and West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram.
Pandya, who hasn’t played competitive cricket ever since the end of IPL 2026, has reportedly been diagnosed with a symptomatic right tibial bone stress response.
According to Cricbuzz, scans have confirmed that there is no structural bone damage or established stress fracture. However, the injury to his right shin necessitates careful management, with such problems usually taking around four to six weeks to recover from.
The ace all-rounder has currently been advised two weeks of rest by the medical team, followed by supervised rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
Considering the mandatory rest period and subsequent rehabilitation timeline, it is highly unlikely that Pandya will travel for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand beginning October 22.
Hardik Pandya’s frequent injury layoffs also prompted Irfan Pathan to suggest the Indian team management to develop and groom Nitish Kumar Reddy as a secondary fast-bowling all-rounder.
Pathan also commended the growth and work ethic of Nitish, who recently made a strong comeback from a quadriceps injury layoff by picking up six wickets in the T20I series against Afghanistan.
"Whenever the chance is there, it is important for the management to develop two all-rounders. That is why you will see that Nitish will be backed. His responsibility is now to perform and stay fit. We have seen his graph going upwards. His pace has gone up and he has worked on his bowling. His work ethic is great and I have followed him. He has worked hard in the COE and is working on many things. From the management's perspective, keeping an eye on two fast-bowling all-rounders and getting them ready, especially if your main bowler is an all-rounder and is constantly getting injured, it is important for someone like Reddy to play regularly," Pathan remarked.