Hardik Pandya set to miss Afghanistan ODIs with leg niggle
Synopsis
Just days before India's ODI series against Afghanistan, Hardik Pandya — who had been training at BCCI's Centre of Excellence and was close to full fitness — has picked up a fresh leg niggle. With Virat Kohli also out, India head into the series missing two of their most influential players, raising real questions about their World Cup combinations.
Key Takeaways
Hardik Pandya is set to miss India's three-match ODI series against Afghanistan starting 13 June in Dharamshala .
Pandya picked up a leg niggle at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru , where he had been training since 2 June .
He has not played a 50-over game since the 2025 Champions Trophy and holds 94 ODI caps .
Virat Kohli was also ruled out of the series due to a hamstring injury; Yashasvi Jaiswal replaces him.
Shivam Dube and Nitish Kumar Reddy are the likely all-rounder options to fill Pandya's role.
Pandya's availability for the England ODI series (14–19 July) is also now in question.
Seam-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya is set to miss India's upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan after picking up a fresh niggle in his leg, delivering a significant blow to the team's preparations. The series opens on 13 June in Dharamshala, with subsequent games in Lucknow and Chennai.
What Happened at the Centre of Excellence
Pandya had been stationed at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru since 2 June, working towards a fitness clearance for the Afghanistan series. He had been progressing steadily — bowling at full tilt and completing batting and fielding drills without apparent difficulty — and was considered close to being cleared.
However, a late-stage setback has changed the picture. 'Hardik Pandya was close to being fully cleared by CoE for the ODI series against Afghanistan. But it has now come to light that he has picked up a slight niggle in his leg and will require a few weeks of recovery,' sources said on Wednesday. He will now focus on recuperation at the CoE rather than joining the squad.
A Series of Injury Blows for India
The development compounds India's selection headaches. Pandya had already missed several matches for Mumbai Indians during IPL 2026 due to back spasms, and this latest setback means he has not featured in a 50-over game since the 2025 Champions Trophy triumph. With 94 ODI caps, he remains one of India's most experienced all-rounders in the format.
Notably, talismanic batter Virat Kohli was also ruled out of the Afghanistan ODIs earlier due to a hamstring injury, with Yashasvi Jaiswal drafted in as his replacement. The twin absences leave India's top-order and lower-middle-order balance significantly disrupted ahead of the series.
Replacement Options Under Consideration
With Pandya unavailable, selectors are reportedly weighing their options among seam-bowling all-rounders. Shivam Dube, who has four ODI appearances to his name, is being considered as a potential replacement. Nitish Kumar Reddy, another seam-bowling all-rounder with four ODIs under his belt, is already part of the squad and could see an expanded role.
Eye on World Cup and England Series
The broader concern extends well beyond this series. India are actively fine-tuning their combinations ahead of the 2027 Men's ODI World Cup, and Pandya's dual contribution with bat and ball has been central to those plans. His absence also puts his availability for the three-match ODI series against England, scheduled from 14–19 July, in doubt. Whether he can achieve full fitness in time for that assignment remains to be seen.
Point of View
Not just a one-off disruption. He has now missed significant chunks of competitive cricket — IPL, and now back-to-back ODI series — at a time when India should be locking down their 2027 World Cup core. The deeper issue is that India have no like-for-like replacement: Dube and Reddy are developmental options, not proven match-winners at Pandya's level. If this pattern of fitness breakdowns continues into the England series and beyond, selectors may be forced to rethink the all-rounder slot entirely rather than keep holding it open for him.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Hardik Pandya missing the Afghanistan ODI series?
Hardik Pandya is set to miss the Afghanistan ODI series after picking up a niggle in his leg while training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. He had been close to receiving a fitness clearance but will now require a few weeks of recovery.
When does India's ODI series against Afghanistan begin?
The three-match ODI series against Afghanistan begins on 13 June in Dharamshala, followed by games in Lucknow and Chennai.
Who could replace Hardik Pandya in the Afghanistan ODI series?
Shivam Dube, a seam-bowling all-rounder with four ODI appearances, is being considered as a replacement. Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has also played four ODIs, is already in the squad and could take on a larger role.
Is Virat Kohli also out of the Afghanistan ODI series?
Yes, Virat Kohli was ruled out of the Afghanistan ODIs due to a hamstring injury. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been named as his replacement.
Will Hardik Pandya be fit for the England ODI series in July?
That remains uncertain. With Pandya needing a few weeks of recovery from his leg niggle, his availability for the England ODI series scheduled from 14 to 19 July is in doubt.
