Hardik Pandya is at COE for back injury related issues that he suffered in IPL 2026.
India all-rounder Hardik Pandya is likely to be fit in time for the three-match ODI series between India and Afghanistan. The series is set to begin after the one-off Test that begins in New Chandigarh from June 6 onwards.
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.
When the BCCI selectors announced the Indian squad for the Afghanistan ODIs, Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma were named, but their selection was based on basis of fitness.
Now, Cricbuzz has reported that Hardik Pandya is nearing full fitness for the ODI series. Following the IPL, Pandya took a brief break in France before traveling immediately from Paris to Bengaluru to report to the BCCI's Centre of Excellence.
The all-rounder is now undergoing rehabilitation and is anticipated to be ready for selection in the Afghanistan series. Pandya's concern is a back injury, which has kept him out of four IPL games.
He is scheduled to remain at the Bengaluru facility until June 10. If he receives the all-clear from the NCA staff, he will fly to Dharamshala on June 11 to join the ODI team. Sources close to him say Pandya is doing his best to regain match-fitness for the ODIs, a format he has not featured in for more than 15 months.
On the other hand, there is no update on Rohit Sharma. The former India captain has yet to report to the BCCI's Centre of Excellence, but sources close to him in the Mumbai Cricket Association believe he will be fit for the ODI series.
Rohit, who now only plays in ODIs for India, had a hamstring injury during the IPL, missing five games for the Mumbai Indians.
Virat Kohli is uncertain for the Afghanistan One-Day Internationals after injuring his hamstring at the IPL final in Ahmedabad on May 31.
(Cricbuzz report)