Hardik Pandya Fitness Update: India Receive Massive Boost Ahead of Afghanistan ODI Series

India will face Afghanistan National Cricket Team in a three-match ODI series immediately after the one-off Test, which begins tomorrow. However, the India National Cricket Team have already suffered a major setback. Virat Kohli has been ruled out of the ODI series after suffering a hamstring injury during the IPL 2026 final.

Meanwhile, captain Rohit Sharma is also doubtful for the series as he continues to recover from his own hamstring problem. Amidst all this, there has been some good news coming from the camp as the team’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is close to regaining full fitness ahead of the ODI series against Afghanistan. The all-rounder is currently undergoing rehabilitation and could be available for selection.

He has been a crucial member of the Indian side over the years across the white-ball format. Hardik Pandya suffered a back spasm during the IPL and missed a few games for Mumbai Indians (MI). His name was included in the India squad, but his participation was subject to full fitness. The star all-rounder had a poor IPL season as captain and as a player as well in three seasons; his team, MI, have failed to qualify for the playoffs and finished 10th and 9th, respectively, in 2024 and 2026.

Hardik Pandya Nears Return as India Receive Fitness Boost Ahead of Afghanistan ODI Series

However, Hardik Pandya enjoyed a good T20 World Cup 2026 and played a key role in helping India win back-to-back ICC titles in the shortest format. The Mumbai Indians captain is now set to return to ODI cricket after more than a year. His last 50-over appearance came in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where India defeated New Zealand National Cricket Team by four wickets. Hardik Pandya reported to the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru on June 2.

He is currently doing his rehab and hopefully comes back fully fit as he provides a lot of balance to the side in terms of batting in the middle and lower middle order, and also, if he is fully fit, the 10 valuable overs are crucial in the middle phase of the game. India have not found a back-up for the 32-year-old cricketer with the impact and quality he delivers in the side; no one has been able to deliver such moments in pressure situations. He can soak in the pressure and deliver match-winning performances over the years for the national side.

They will be working on Pandya’s workload management to keep him fresh for the upcoming ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, where he will need to contribute both bat and ball. The selectors will also assess Jasprit Bumrah's workload before the tour to Ireland and then England. The selectors want him fully healthy for the two-Test series in Sri Lanka in August. He may be given a break from T20Is, if not ODIs as well.