Hardik Pandya Out of New Zealand Series After Fresh Shin Injury
Hardik Pandya has suffered a fresh right-shin injury and is set to miss India's New Zealand white-ball tour, extending his absence into a fifth month.
Hardik Pandya's return to the Indian team has suffered another setback after the all-rounder sustained a fresh injury to his right shin. The injury is expected to keep him out of India's upcoming white-ball tour of New Zealand, extending his international absence into a fifth month.
Pandya's return-to-play date had been set for September 20, and he was initially selected for India A's upcoming ODI series against Australia A from October 6. However, the latest injury has changed those plans. The New Zealand tour begins on October 22 and includes five T20Is and five ODIs, along with two Tests.
According to information shared by the BCCI medical setup, scans showed the shin injury and Pandya has been advised complete rest for two weeks. Further assessment will determine when he can begin rehabilitation.
Pandya last played a competitive match for Mumbai Indians in the IPL on May 24. Since then, he has missed India's series against Afghanistan and the tour of Ireland and England, while he was also expected to miss the upcoming ODI series against West Indies.
The 32-year-old has been training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru while working towards his return. However, repeated fitness setbacks have disrupted his comeback plans.
With the New Zealand series now out of his schedule, Pandya may have to target India's Zimbabwe ODIs in January 2027 or use domestic competitions such as the Vijay Hazare Trophy or Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy to prove his fitness. The comeback calendar, meanwhile, keeps getting another plot twist.
