India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has completed his rehab at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru and has been cleared to bowl in T20Is, with his comeback expected in the five-match series against South Africa next week, news agency PTI reported.

According to the report, Hardik has finished his Return to Play (RTP) protocols at the CoE between October 21 and November 30 and has been declared fit to resume competitive cricket in the shortest format.

Hardik had sustained a left quadriceps injury during the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 match against Sri Lanka on September 26. As a result, he missed the entire Australia tour and the ongoing ODI series against South Africa.

The BCCI has already hinted that Pandya would be considered only for T20Is leading up to the T20 World Cup 2026, and him getting declared fit is a major boost to India’s plans.

In order to prove his match fitness, Hardik Pandya will feature in Baroda’s upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy fixtures. The report stated that he is set to play at least two matches - against Punjab (2nd December) and Gujarat (4th December). A third outing, against Haryana on December 6, is also understood to be in reckoning as part of his competitive return.

As per the report, former India spinner Pragyan Ojha, now part of the national selection panel, has been given the task to track Hardik’s progress in domestic matches and share feedback to the selectors and team management.

The first T20I between India and South Africa is slated to be held in Cuttack on December 9. If Hardik comes through the Baroda games unscathed, he is certain to join the T20I squad for South Africa series.

With the fast-approaching T20 World Cup 2026, the board has prioritised keeping Hardik Pandya fresh and available for the shortest format instead of rushing him back into the ODI squad with no immediate context.

(With PTI Inputs)