It appears that Hardik Pandya would have to wait longer to play in significant competitive cricket until the Indian Premier League next year. The star all-rounder is reportedly undergoing extensive rehabilitation at Bengaluru’s Centre of Excellence due to a stress injury on the inside of his shin.
The all-rounder, who had to deal with multiple injury concerns over the previous two to three years, may have a lengthy and careful path ahead, according to the most recent medical evaluations from the CoE. According to reports, Hadik is still three weeks away from even beginning light jogging. After he overcomes that obstacle, his running load will be progressively raised over the course of an additional eight weeks.
It should come as no surprise that he will not be able to participate in the next tour of New Zealand due to this rehabilitation timeline. It is quite unlikely that he will recuperate in time for the ODI match against Zimbabwe on January 3 or the white-ball series against Sri Lanka beginning on December 13. The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy will be finished for the season by the time he is officially cleared to play cricket once more.
Given that he no longer plays Test cricket, India’s five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia, which takes place from January 21 to March 3, is also unrelated to his circumstances. The IPL 2027 season is the only feasible window of opportunity for his return when the entire schedule is considered. His immediate future is further questionable because it is unclear which franchise he will represent at that time.
Although it is unclear whose team’s jersey Hardik Pandya will be donning, his competitive comeback is probably going to happen right into the IPL next year. Aside from Pandya’s recovery, there is some encouraging progress in the larger injury room. As early as next week, Rishabh Pant will start light skill training, while Prashasti’s availability will not be confirmed until after a series of demanding match simulations.
